Vegetables and the Enlarged Prostate
There is some evidence to support the hypothesis that a diet poor in vegetables and pulses may have an unfavourable effect4.
An American study has shown that men who regularly consume a high intake of vegetables have a reduced risk of BPH5.
This must be an encouragement to eat all the green, leafy vegetables, sweetcorn, yellow and orange-coloured vegetables such as peppers, kiwi fruit and grapes, to get the nutrients present.
Another study showed that eating four or more servings of vegetables daily, reduced the risk of developing an enlarged prostate gland by 32% and eating more fatty foods increased the risk. On the other hand, a diet containing red meat daily increased the risk of BPH - Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia ( or Hypertrophy) by 38%6.
The foods to eat
According to the Healthy Eating:Prostate Care Cookbook by Professor Margaret Rayman, Kay Gibbs and Kay Dilley, a diet focussed on vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts and cabbage, as well as kale, kohlrabi, watercress, and radishes, along with leeks, onions and garlic is worthwhile. There appears to be plenty there to spice up your meals.
Eat zinc-rich foods. There is plenty of scientific back-up for the role of zinc to support prostate health. Shellfish, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, pecan nuts, fish and eggs can help you out here. Alcohol interferes with zinc uptake, so keep this to a minimum.
Saturated fats aren’t good for any aspect of health and certainly not for the prostate7, so get your healthy fats from nuts, seeds and fish.
If you want more specific recipes and ideas for delicious and healthful meals for your prostate, The Prostate Care Cookbook is a good read.
