Food Friday: Nutrition Tips for Men

TGIF! July is Parks and Recreation Month, and Friday is designated as Food Friday! It is a time to recognize park staff who help provide food for those in need during the pandemic, but that got us thinking about our readers who may have BPH or know someone who does. A proper balance of food may help with weight and BPH symptom management. BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) is the medical term for an enlarged prostate. Prostate enlargement affects millions of men who age into their senior years. It is associated with urinary issues such as frequent urination day and night, slow or poor urinary flow, straining to push out urine, trouble starting or stopping, and sensation of urine remaining in the bladder. 

A healthy nutrition plan of eating and drinking well can help benefit men who are experiencing BPH symptoms. For example, fluid intake habits can support bladder discomfort. If you drink more fluids in the day and less at night, you may help reduce those frequent trips to the bathroom. Although drinking more often may sound counterintuitive, drinking healthy drinks like water can help make urine less thick. When we stop drinking fluids, we make the urine in our body thicker, which irritates the bladder, and not to mention dehydration. We don't want to be dehydrated, especially in the summer! If you're out in the park during a hot day, it's important to prevent heat stroke by staying hydrated. 

Eating well will depend on any allergies and dietary restrictions you may have due to other conditions such as diabetes. You may also have religious or ideological restrictions where you can't consume certain foods or ingredients. In general, it is important to eat in moderation (controlling portions and being sure to get nutrition from the food groups). Men in Asia have lower prostate problem incidence rates, and it has been proposed that this may be due to having soy in the diet. Soy is high in protein and low in fat. For example, replacing some meat options (high in protein and higher in fat compared to soy) with soy may be beneficial, or adding soy and reducing meat portions. 

Some people have also looked to pumpkin seeds and food containing lycopene (like tomatoes) as well for prostate support, while cranberry has been consumed for bladder support. Although more studies may be necessary to prove a link between these foods and prostate/urinary health, many can agree that a balanced diet (not too much of one specific food, not just one food group, etc.) is important. 

Reducing food high in sugar and fat, reducing alcohol and consumption of diuretics and caffeine may also help reduce frequent bathroom trips and reduce the aggravation of BPH. 

Enjoy your weekend, enjoy your local parks safely and enjoy healthy food and drink! Read and share our BPH blog to spread awareness of this common men's health issue (content can be viewed on various platforms of your choice via https://linktr.ee/sunjourhc).