One of the most common cancers among men, prostate cancer is also one of the most treatable when detected in its early stages. While there are some risk factors you cannot change, such as your race, genetic makeup, and age, you can make major changes in your diet that can decrease the chances you will develop prostate cancer. If you’re ready to start eating healthy to prevent prostate cancer, here are some helpful dietary tips.
Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables
When you eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, you are taking great strides to reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer. The best ones to eat include carrots, tomatoes, pomegranates, grapes, and cruciferous vegetables like cabbage and broccoli. Cruciferous veggies help reduce free radicals, which can limit the aggression of prostate cancer in the body. Tomatoes, grapes, and pomegranates help strengthen your immune system and contain compounds that actually attack cancer cells.
Eat Very Little Red Meat
While you may love your hamburgers and steaks, making red meat a large part of your regular diet is unfortunately increasing the odds you may develop prostate cancer. In fact, meats such as beef, pork, and lamb have often been connected to the most aggressive forms of prostate cancer. Therefore, it’s best to limit yourself to an occasional burger or steak.
Embrace Green Tea
If you love to drink tea, consider adding green tea to the mix on a more regular basis. Containing excellent antioxidants such as flavonoids and polyphenols, green tea has been studied over the years for its potential ability to slow or even prevent the development of prostate cancer. By opting for green tea over those carbonated beverages that contain high amounts of sugar, you will be doing your body a tremendous favor.
Add Whole Grains to Your Diet
If you like such foods as whole wheat bread, corn, oatmeal, and brown rice, try adding these to your diet more and more. Whole grains such as these provide you with plenty of protein and are high in fiber and magnesium, which also helps in preventing cancer. To get the best results, you should eat more whole grains and as little processed food as possible.
Though it may take some getting used to initially when making changes to your dietary habits, it won’t take long for you to get into the habit of healthy eating. Once you do, you will not only feel better physically but also gain peace of mind in knowing you are decreasing the odds of developing prostate cancer.