9 Foods That Help Prevent Prostate Cancer

If you want to do all you can to prevent prostate cancer, your first stop should be the grocery store, a top expert says.

“There are foods that contain nutrients which have been found to help prevent prostate cancer so what you eat may help make a difference,” Dr. Edward Gheiler tells Newsmax Health.

Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in men.  According to the American Cancer Society, about 161,360 men will develop prostate cancer this year, and the disease will result in about 26,730 deaths.

Eating a healthy diet that contains foods that reduce prostate cancer also pays off in helping to prevent cardiovascular disease – heart disease and stroke – which is the biggest killer of men in the U.S., Gheiler notes.

“Any diet that is good for your heart is good for your prostate, so you can help prevent cardiovascular disease and cancer at the same time,” adds Gheiler, an urologist at Palmetto General Hospital in Hialeah, Fla.

He also advises patients to eat a diet that is low in fat, which is a culprit in cardiovascular disease and plays a role in cancer development as well.

There is also evidence of a dietary connection between cancer and diet found in the differing rates of the disease in certain cultures, Gheiler says.

 “The Japanese have low rates of prostate cancer, but when they move to the U.S., the rate in their offspring doubles,” he notes.

The Japanese diet is high in green tea, soy, vegetables, and fish.

Whole, fresh foods, as compared to supplements, are better for prostate cancer prevention as they contain an array of flavonoids and antioxidants, which may work together to provide more cancer-fighting power, says Gheiler.

“But even though these foods are healthy, people should avoid eating them in large quantities. A healthy, balanced diet is best,” he says.

Here are Gheiler’s top picks for nine foods that may prevent prostate cancer:

Broccoli: Research finds men who eat a diet rich in vegetables generally have a reduced prostate cancer risk, but cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, may have an edge. They are rich in contain sulforaphane, a compound that target human cancer cells and slows them down. Don’t like broccoli? Brussels sprouts, kale, and cauliflower contain it too.

Brazil Nuts:  Selenium helps prevent the cellular damage that leads to cancer. Brazil nuts contain the most of it of any food by far, but smaller amounts of this trace element are also found in yellow fin tuna, halibut, and sardines.

Tomatoes: Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant found in tomatoes, could explain why studies show foods made with tomatoes reduce prostate cancer risk. “This cancer-fighting effect is found only in cooked tomatoes, so choose tomato sauce over raw tomatoes,” says Gheiler.

Salmon: A cold-water fish, salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which are polyunsaturated fats that have been shown to reduce prostate cancer risk.

Coffee:  Studies find that drinking multiple cups of coffee daily – at least three – may reduce prostate cancer risk. “The effect may be due to stepped up metabolism,” says Gheiler.  If you prefer green tea, research finds it also may help protect against prostate cancer.

Carrots:  While all vegetables may help prevent prostate cancer, a small study published in the Journal of European Nutrition found that men who ate carrots three times a week cut their prostate cancer risk by nearly 20 percent.

Oranges: Citrus fruits contain vitamin C, which some studies find is toxic to cancer cells.

Coconut Oil: This popular oil may help prevent prostate cancer. “It’s also good for the brain and it takes away food cravings,” says Gheiler.

Berries: Berries, particularly raspberries, have been linked to a reduced risk of prostate cancer. The natural pigments that give berries its color denote their high antioxidant content.