A healthy prostate health is something old guys have to worry about, right? Well, you might be young today, but father time comes for everybody. Before you know it, you’ll be wearing a pair of dad jeans and wearing socks with sandals at the grocery store.
Even if you do manage to become a well-dressed older gent, you’ll still face the health concerns that all men face. That means that you could be one of the millions of men diagnosed with prostate cancer every year. There are nearly 175,000 in the US each year alone.
Prostate cancer mostly impacts men over 40, but even if you’re years from hitting that milestone, it’s never too early to start managing your health. Keep reading to pick up a few times that may help keep this deadly form of cancer at bay.
You Should Eat More Tomatoes
Packed with the nutrient lycopene, tomatoes have long been a go-to remedy for prostate health. While more research is needed, tomatoes are certainly a healthy part of any diet since they’re low in fat and loaded with essential vitamins and minerals.
Coffee Could Be Great for a Healthy Prostate
Coffee is everybody’s favorite morning and afternoon pick-me-up, but there might be more to your espresso than increased energy. According to a study published by PubMed.gov, drinking four to five cups of coffee per day may be beneficial for overall prostate health.
Now, remember, those studies are talking about eight-ounce cups of coffee, not those oversized vats of hot java you get from Starbucks. There’s no serious evidence that too much coffee can take a toll on you, but there are few benefits once you break that five-cup mark.
Tea is Good for You Too
You’ve downed five cups of coffee and now you’re preparing a pot of tea for the evening. While too much caffeine can obviously wreak havoc on your sleep schedule, there’s some evidence that tea can be beneficial for your prostate.
Green tea, in particular, is full of isoflavones and antioxidants that may help reduce your risk of prostate cancer. Even better, those same helpful compounds may be able to help ward off other types of cancer as well.
The Sun is Your Friend
You’ve been told a thousand times to stay out of the sun, and while too much exposure still puts you at risk of developing skin cancer, vitamin D is essential for prostate health. The best way to get it? Enjoy a little time outdoors of course.
While you shouldn’t skip the sunscreen for long days at the beach or on the golf course, those 10-minute jaunts to work don’t require you to slather yourself in zinc oxide. Low-SPF moisturizers are also great for providing a little protection while allowing you to soak up some of the sun’s rays.
Your Weight Matters More Than You Think
Most men know that being overweight or obese can put you at greater risk for health problems like diabetes and heart disease. You may not realize that your weight could impact your prostate as well though.
According to Healthline.com, being overweight or obese has been linked to an aggressive form of prostate cancer. In short, watch your weight and you can watch your risk of prostate cancer go down.
Check out this piece from our archives on busting belly fat to help you get in shape.
Protecting your prostate doesn’t have to be difficult. While getting screenings as you get older can help, a lot of the work starts by adopting healthy habits now. There’s no magic bullet for perfect health, but if doing things like eating more tomatoes and trying out a cup of tea can help, there’s no reason not to put your health first.
Do you have any other healthy prostate tips to share?
