Prostate Cancer Diet: What to Eat, What to Skip

Dietary Guidelines for Prostate Health: A Comprehensive Guide

A prostate cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, but understanding the role of diet can empower you to take control of your health. What you eat significantly impacts prostate health, influencing recovery and potentially reducing the risk of other related conditions. This guide outlines foods that can support prostate health and those best limited or avoided.

Foods to Emphasize

• Cruciferous Vegetables: This family of vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage, are nutritional powerhouses. They are packed with fiber, vitamins C, E, and K, folate, and carotenoids. More importantly, they contain glucosinolates, compounds known for their potential cancer-fighting properties, most notably sulforaphane. Some research, primarily in laboratory settings, suggests sulforaphane may inhibit various types of cancer, including prostate cancer. While studies show a potential link between cruciferous vegetable consumption and reduced prostate cancer risk, further human studies are needed to confirm these benefits.

• Tomatoes: Rich in lycopene, the carotenoid responsible for their vibrant red color, tomatoes offer significant potential benefits. Lycopene is known for its antioxidant properties and has been associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer progression. Interestingly, cooking tomatoes enhances lycopene bioavailability, making cooked tomato products like sauce, juice, and sun-dried tomatoes excellent sources.

  

• Green Tea: Celebrated for its numerous health benefits, green tea has been linked to decreased risk and slowed progression of certain cancers. It contains catechins, potent antioxidants that may slow cancer cell growth. These catechins, a type of polyphenol flavonoid, have demonstrated effectiveness in preventing prostate cancer in some studies. While promising for both prevention and treatment, more research is needed to solidify these findings.

• Fatty Fish: Salmon, tuna, sardines, herring, and mackerel are abundant in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, which may also benefit prostate health. Research indicates a correlation between higher fish intake and lower prostate cancer mortality. While these studies suggest a link between omega-3s and decreased mortality, further clinical trials are necessary to confirm these conclusions.

• Berries: Strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries are rich sources of polyphenols, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Polyphenols are protective plant compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, including flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic acids. Berries and their bioactive compounds have shown potential in suppressing the risk of various cancers, including prostate cancer, in laboratory and animal studies. Human clinical trials are needed to validate these benefits.

• Legumes and Soy: Beans, peas, lentils, and soy foods (tofu, miso, edamame) contain phytoestrogens, plant-derived compounds with estrogen-like properties, which may protect prostate health. Isoflavones, a type of phytoestrogen, may play a role in prostate health. A large study noted a moderate reduction in prostate cancer risk associated with legume intake, and other research suggests soy consumption is linked to a decreased risk. However, due to potential hormonal concerns and interactions with other therapies, careful consideration should be given when using isoflavones in prevention and treatment. Larger, long-term studies are needed to explore the potential benefits of isoflavones further.

• Pomegranate: This “superfood” boasts a nutrient-rich profile, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and bioactive polyphenolic compounds. Studies have shown that pomegranate juice and extract can hinder the growth of prostate cancer cell lines and cause cell death in laboratory settings. Clinical trials in humans have shown improved survival rates and slower progression of prostate cancer in participants who consumed pomegranate juice.

Foods to Limit or Avoid

• Red and Processed Meats: Red meat (beef, pork, lamb, veal) and processed meats (hot dogs, sausages, bacon, deli meat, beef jerky) promote inflammation, which has been linked to a higher risk of prostate cancer. These meats are classified as probably carcinogenic and carcinogenic, respectively, by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Studies show that higher consumption of these meats is associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality. Cooking meat at high temperatures can produce carcinogens, especially when pan-frying, grilling, or barbecuing.

• High-Fat Dairy: High-fat dairy products like whole milk, cream, and full-fat cheese have been associated with an increased risk of advanced prostate cancer. Research suggests a link between high-fat milk intake and prostate cancer progression and a higher risk of total and prostate cancer-specific mortality in men consuming more than three servings of dairy per day.

• Alcohol: High alcohol intake, particularly binge drinking, is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer and mortality. It may increase the growth of prostate tumors and accelerate the progression to metastatic prostate cancer. Heavy drinkers consume more than five drinks a day or more than 15 drinks a week.

  

• Saturated and Trans Fats: These fats can increase cholesterol levels, raising heart disease risk, and have been suspected to be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. Saturated fats are found in meat, poultry, high-fat dairy products, tropical oils, and some baked and fried foods. While artificial trans fats have been largely eliminated from processed foods, reducing your intake of saturated fats can benefit your heart and overall health.

• High-Sugar Foods and Beverages: Excessive sugar intake, particularly from sugar-sweetened beverages and processed foods, may increase the risk of prostate cancer. Added sugars may increase inflammation, insulin resistance, and obesity, which can contribute to cancer cell growth and development.

Additional Recommendations

• Stay Hydrated: Proper hydration is crucial for overall health, especially for individuals with prostate cancer. Water is the best beverage for hydration. Limit or avoid sugar-sweetened beverages.

• Follow a Balanced Diet: Focus on plant-based foods, incorporate plenty of fruits and vegetables, and ensure adequate protein intake. A variety of foods from all food groups is important to maintain overall health and stamina, especially during cancer treatment and recovery. This provides your body with essential nutrients.