From the Research
Dietary precipitants for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) are not directly established, but a diet high in red meat, sugar, and saturated fats may contribute to the development of BPH, while a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products may help prevent or manage the condition. The relationship between diet and BPH is complex, and while there is no single dietary factor that has been proven to cause BPH, certain dietary patterns may influence the risk of developing the condition. Some studies suggest that a diet high in red meat, sugar, and saturated fats may increase the risk of BPH, possibly due to the inflammatory and oxidative stress effects of these dietary components 1. On the other hand, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products, such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet or the Mediterranean diet, may help prevent or manage BPH, possibly due to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of these dietary components 2, 3. Key components of these diets include:
- High intake of fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants and fiber
- High intake of whole grains, which are rich in fiber and nutrients
- High intake of low-fat dairy products, which are rich in calcium and protein
- Low intake of red meat, sugar, and saturated fats, which may contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress It is essential to note that the evidence for the role of diet in BPH is not as strong as it is for other conditions, such as hypertension, and more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between diet and BPH. However, based on the available evidence, adopting a healthy dietary pattern, such as the DASH diet or the Mediterranean diet, may be a useful adjunct to other treatments for BPH, and may help to prevent or manage the condition 4.