An enlarged prostate does not necessarily mean cancer, but it can cause difficulty in urinating. This problem, which is very common in men over 60, can be improved by certain dietary measures. We suggest you take stock of what is recommended to eat and drink in case of benign prostate hypertrophy.
In men with a swollen prostate, one of the most troublesome symptoms is difficulty urinating. This is because when this gland is too large, it presses on the bladder and can prevent the normal release of urine.
Not only is the stream of urine weak and jerky, but it becomes difficult to completely empty the bladder which makes you want to urinate much more often. These urges are especially bothersome at night or when you have to leave the house.
That's why the first nutritional tip for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia is to drink. To avoid having to get up several times during the night, it is recommended to limit drinks, especially diuretic drinks after 8 pm.
Do not have coffee or tea or herbal tea less than 2 hours before going to bed. Note that alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, or other spirits also have a diuretic effect. In addition, carbonated drinks and some citrus fruit juices such as orange juice are also thought to have an irritating effect on the bladder.
Limit these diuretic drinks in the evening and during the day if you have to leave the house within the hour. But be careful: this advice does not mean you should not drink during the day! The best way to stay well hydrated is to drink water in small sips throughout the day. Just don't drink large amounts of water in one sitting so you don't overload your bladder.
Finally, if you get up during the night, try not to drink water so you don't get woken up by a craving a few hours later.
When you suffer from urinary problems related to a swollen prostate, you are usually wary of diuretic drinks like tea, coffee or beer ... But less often you think about limiting certain foods that have a diuretic effect.
Some foods have a well-known draining effect, beneficial for people who suffer from water retention but more troublesome for patients who have difficulty urinating and bladder discomfort.
This is particularly the case with artichoke and asparagus, two plants that stimulate kidney function. This is also the case with certain water-rich fruits and vegetables such as cucumbers, watermelon and tomatoes...
To avoid cravings, simply limit the amounts of these vegetables but remember that you shouldn't deprive yourself of them completely. In fact, vegetables are essential to eating a balanced diet: they help avoid excess weight and limit the risk of prostate cancer.
Other foods make you want to urinate because they are irritating to the bladder such as spices, acidic foods like grapefruit, pineapple, lemon and orange as well as dark chocolate (because cocoa contains an excitant close to caffeine).
You may not know it, but your diet has a role to play in improving the symptoms of an enlarged prostate and even reducing the size of the gland.
To prevent or treat this health problem, it is recommended to eat a balanced diet and adopt a Mediterranean diet rich in vegetables, fish and good fats. In fact, overweight is a risk factor for prostatic hypertrophy.
To regain or maintain your healthy weight, it is recommended to limit:
- alcohol
- sugary products
- Refined cereals such as white pasta and white flour
- bad fats such as butter, red meat and cold cuts (to be eaten twice a week maximum)
- dairy products (two per day maximum)
To improve symptoms related to a swollen prostate, not only should you limit certain foods listed above, but also increase your intake of beneficial foods.
In particular, it is recommended to consume oily fish rich in omega 3 such as salmon, herring, mackerel, anchovies and trout. Regular consumption, three times a week, helps limit the risk of prostate cancer.
You can also increase your intake of good fats by eating rapeseed oil, avocados, unsalted nuts such as pumpkin seeds, almonds, walnuts and sunflower seeds.
Fruits and vegetables have a protective effect against prostate cancer because they are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances. Therefore, you should follow the official recommendations and eat at least 5 servings per day, including no more than two servings of fruit.
Focus on green vegetables and broccoli as well as vegetables rich in carotene such as carrots, pumpkin and squash, sweet potato but also apricots and mangoes.
To conclude, remember that it is very important to consume enough dietary fiber by eating fruits, vegetables but also legumes like lentils for example. Dietary fiber is beneficial because it promotes good intestinal transit. Conversely, problems with constipation can make prostate enlargement worse.
Author Audrey on 31 October 2023
Gastronomy and Food : Food
Author Audrey on 16 August 2023
Gastronomy and Food : Diet and Dietetics