Appointments at Jackson Health System

Jackson Health System offers world-class healthcare with convenient locations across South Florida, including Miami-Dade County and Plantation.

Request Appointment

Reduce Your Risk of Developing Prostate Cancer by Eating Healthy

A bowl of salad

Health & Wellness

Healthy eating should be a way of life for everyone. Eating well makes you feel better and it also helps reduce the risk of many diseases. Prostate cancer is no exception.

The second leading cause of cancer death in men in the United States, prostate cancer affects one in every seven men. There are some risk factors that cannot be controlled: having a family history of prostate cancer, being older than 50, and being of African American or African Caribbean ancestry.

There is no definitive proof that proper nutrition can prevent prostate issues, but studies show that men can reduce their risk of the disease by maintaining a healthy, balanced diet.  As I often tell my patients, “whatever is good for your heart, is good for your prostate.”

Some foods that contribute to a healthy prostate are:

  • At least five servings a day of fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Pomegranate juice
  • Ocean-caught fish (salmon, tuna, sardines)
  • Whole grains
  • Soy
  • Tomato-based products
  • Olive or avocado oil
  • Green and black tea
  • Nuts (Almonds, walnuts, pecans)
  • Low-sodium foods

When possible, eat organic foods and follow a high-fiber diet. Limit your intake of red meat, dairy products, and sugary drinks, such as sodas. Smoking has been found to increase the risk of prostate cancer, so quit today if you have been smoking.

In addition to a healthy diet, being physically active is critical to having a healthy prostate. Regular exercise is beneficial to your overall health and can help reduce the risk of a number of medical conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers. Physical activities such as walking, running, cycling, and swimming are effective in helping eliminate inflammatory molecules that drive cancer by increasing the body’s natural levels of antioxidants.

Be proactive about your health. Eat well, exercise, and talk to your doctor about your prostate health, family history, and screening tests.

To make an appointment, call 305-585-4URO or visit JacksonUrology.org.