Sugar And Artificial Sweeteners
Sugar has not been proven to be a direct cause of cancer of the prostate or otherwise. But there are very solid arguments for leaving it out of your diet.
The link between excessive consumption of sugar and the onset of obesity and Type 2 Diabetes has long been established, and the health problems that these conditions cause can be ruinous for the individual involved.
Additionally, in 2009, the Huntsman Cancer Institute released findings that illustrated how cancerous tumor cells use sugar in much greater quantities than normal cells.
The findings seemed to confirm that extra sugar and sweeteners were best left alone for the maintenance of robust health.
Are There Any Prostate Cancer Medications That Arent Affected By Alcohol
Unfortunately, other prostate cancer medications have similar common side effects to anti-androgen medications. This means alcohol may interact with other medications in a similar way. Because each prostate cancer medication carries its own unique risks, its best to check with your healthcare provider before taking them while consuming alcohol.
Effects On Other Harmful Chemicals
Alcohol may help other harmful chemicals, such as those in tobacco smoke, enter the cells lining the upper digestive tract more easily. This might explain why the combination of smoking and drinking is much more likely to cause cancers in the mouth or throat than smoking or drinking alone.
In other cases, alcohol may slow the bodys ability to break down and get rid of some harmful chemicals.
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How Can Coffee Affect An Enlarged Prostate
The stimulant caffeine in coffee affects an enlarged prostate by increasing the rate of urination, causing the person to pee more than usual. It may also have an impact on the bladder sensation and contraction.
Stimulants are responsible for triggering certain changes in the regular functioning of the body system. Large doses of caffeine, for this reason, may result in affecting the muscles in the neck of the bladder. This will make a person urinate more.
Moreover, caffeine is a natural diuretic. This is why you get the sensation to pee more after having coffee. Even if the caffeine content doesnt affect the prostate directly, if a person is already having issues with an enlarged prostate, the stimulant may irritate the organ.
The diuretic effect of the caffeine will also produce the rate of urination and youll get frequent urgency to urinate if you have BPH.
This study on the Effect of caffeine on bladder function in patients with overactive bladder symptoms showed that caffeine can promote early urgency to urinate and the symptoms are more prevalent in the case of individuals with overactive bladder.
Its better to limit the consumption of caffeinated beverages to avoid any of these unwanted feelings if youre having an enlarged prostate.
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Can Alcohol Increase The Risk Of Developing Enlarged Prostate
Quite the opposite is true!
Current research indicates that consuming alcohol is negatively correlated with the risk of BPH. A meta-analysis from 2009 looked at 19 studies spanning a total of 120,091 male participants who consumed greater than 1.2oz of alcohol a day. This intake was associated with a 35% reduced risk of developing BPH. However, before you get excited about getting a hall pass to indulge, it’s important to remember the myriad of risks associated with chronic alcohol intake. In the case of urinary concerns and this study, while the risk of BPH dropped, the risk of developing a lower urinary tract infection rose with alcohol consumption.
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Can Alcohol Mask Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer
Testing for elevated levels of prostate-specific antigen in blood plasma is one of the techniques used for diagnosing prostate cancer. A study on Alcohol Consumption and PSA-detected Prostate Cancer Risk by NIH researchers found that excessive drinking can depress PSA levels, thus reducing the reliability of PSA based tests for heavy drinkers. Therefore, if the patient has a history of heavy drinking, other techniques like biopsy and medical imaging must be used to diagnose prostate cancer.
Heavy drinking can also contribute to many symptoms that overlap with prostate cancer. This can mask prostate cancer symptoms, make them worse, or potentially delay receiving appropriate treatment. These overlapping symptoms are:
- More frequent urination at night and weak urine flow
- Erectile dysfunction
Evidence Shows That Alcohol Consumption Is Associated With Cancers Of The:
- Oral cavity and pharynx
- Oesophagus
* low = < 12.5g/day, moderate = < 50g/day, heavy = > 50g/day
* in Australia one standard drink = 10 grams of alcohol, US = 14 grams, UK = 8 grams
The evidence linking daily alcohol intake and prostate cancer is accumulating, currently showing small but significant trends towards higher risks with increased consumption even demonstrating significant risk at lower daily intakes .
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What Was Previously Thought
As coffee contains several active components in the form of minerals and antioxidants, it is inaccurate to say that caffeine is the primary source that affects our metabolism.
In the past, only a few lifestyle factors, and daily habits were known to be consistently linked to prostate cancer, especially with the risk of aggressive disease.
Therefore, this study might be of great significance in order to understand the biology and growth of prostate cancer. It may also help with possible approaches that will lead to the prevention of invasive conventional treatments.
It follows that coffee drinkers have no reason to stop drinking their favorite beverage.
However, men with an enlarged prostate or BPH, and prostate infection or prostatitis, should limit coffee intake. Or much better, they should set a stop time for coffee or liquid intake within the day.
This is because the caffeine present in your favorite coffee beverage may stimulate the bladder and can make your symptoms worse and troublesome.
Although the caffeine in coffee may increase urinary urgency, urinary frequency, bladder irritation, and increased pain, it is not the cause of an enlarged prostate or prostatitis.
Coffee and caffeine are, in fact, good for your prostate health.
So What Are The Key Points You Should Take Away From This
- Alcohol plays a contributing role in worsening the symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate
- Follow Canadian Guidelines for alcohol consumption no more than 15 drinks a week. This includes defining what a ‘drink’ actually is:
- 5oz of wine
- 1.5oz of liquor
- 12oz or beer, ciders, or coolers
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What Foods Should You Avoid If You Have An Enlarged Prostate
While the exact cause of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is not entirely understood, we do know that what you eat can have a big influence on the health of your prostate. While some foods can help to reduce the risk of developing BPH, as well as lessening the severity of your symptoms, there are others which can actually aggravate the problem including:
- Red meat
- Dairy
- Alcohol.
Unfortunately gentlemen, as we can see, it is often some of our favourite foods that can cause inflammation flare-ups and bladder problems however, knowing the main culprits could help you to manage your symptoms better.
Have Drinks For Prostate Health And Promote Wellness
Your prostate health matters. Just like other organs in the body, you need to take care of it in many ways.
Lead by example
If you want to ensure that you lower your risk of developing prostate-related conditions and other health concerns, make sure you find a great balance between living your life, eating well, and working out regularly. Avoid drinking beverages, like alcohol, that could increase your risk of developing prostate problems. Dont forget to drink at least six to eight glasses of water a day as well.
The drinks that are said to be best for your prostate are very easy to find and make. These are readily accessible, and you can consume them anytime you want. Make them a part of your everyday diet. Given that there are different options for you, you can never go wrong with any of these drinks for prostate health.
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Does Coffee Reduce Prostate Cancer Risk
An increasing number of studies have reviewed the link between compounds in coffee and prostate cancer risk. As evidence increases. coffee is getting its share of the spotlight.
Recently, researchers from Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Science in Japan tested coffee compounds against prostate cancer in mice. Specifically, they used cells that were resistant to standard cancer drugs, such as cabazitaxel.
When they added kahweol acetate and cafestol to prostate cancer cells in a petri dish, the cells grew less rapidly.
We found that kahweol acetate and cafestol inhibited the growth of the cancer cells in mice, but the combination seemed to work synergistically, leading to significantly slower tumor growth than in untreated mice,
After 11 days, the untreated tumors had grown by around times the original volume , whereas the tumors in the mice treated with both compounds had grown by around just over times the original size. explains study leader, Dr. Hiroaki Iwamoto.
What Are The Best Drinks For Prostate Health
As men age, theyre at risk of developing prostate-related problems. When men grow older, the size of the prostate increases. This growth can squeeze their urethra, causing problems in the process. One of the most effective ways for preventative health care is through dietary choices. Drinking liquids rich in vitamins and minerals can promote a healthy prostate as you age. Here are some of the best drinks for prostate health.
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Higher Coffee Intake May Be Linked To Lower Prostate Cancer Risk
Each additional daily cup associated with reduction in risk of nearly 1%
Drinking several cups of coffee every day may be linked to a lower risk of developing prostate cancer, suggests a pooled data analysis of the available evidence, published in the online journal BMJ Open.
Each additional daily cup of the brew was associated with a reduction in relative risk of nearly 1%, the findings indicate.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer, and the sixth leading cause of cancer death in men. Nearly three out of four cases occur in the developed world, and since the 1970s, new cases of the disease have risen sharply in Asian countries, including Japan, Singapore, and China.
Coffee consumption has been linked to a lower relative risk of liver, bowel, and breast cancers, but as yet, there is no conclusive evidence for its potential role in prostate cancer risk reduction.
In a bid to advance understanding of the issue, the researchers trawled research databases for relevant cohort studies published up to September 2020.
They pooled the data from 16: 15 reported on the risk of prostate cancer associated with the highest, compared with the lowest, coffee consumption 13 reported on the risk associated with an additional daily cup. The highest level of consumption ranged from 2 to 9 or more cups a day the lowest level ranged from none to fewer than 2 cups a day.
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Alcohol & Cancer Risk
Alcohol consumption is an identified risk factor for the development of cancer as it is a well established carcinogen . The burden of disease caused by alcohol consumption extends far beyond cancer, however it has been found to be annually responsible for 500,000 cancer related deaths worldwide from research conducted in the early 2000s. For most countries this can equate to between 2 5% of deaths attributed to by cancer per year.
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Tips For Cutting Back On Caffeine
Kicking caffeine to the curb may help your BPH symptoms, but doing so can be challenging. Caffeine is a stimulant, and its often addictive. Learn more about the effects of caffeine on the body.
- difficulty concentrating
- flu-like symptoms
Here are some tips to help lessen your caffeine intake and reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms:
- Keep a journal. Knowing how much caffeine you have each day, including caffeine in coffee, tea, chocolate, medications, and foods, can help you cut back. You may be having more than you realize.
- Dont quit cold turkey. This may cause withdrawal symptoms to be more severe. Instead, gradually reduce your caffeine intake. For example, if you have two cups of coffee each morning, have one instead or make yourself a cup that is half decaf and half regular coffee.
- Brew for less. You can easily reduce the amount of caffeine in your morning cup of coffee by simply brewing it for less time.
- Cut the caffeine. Try herbal or decaf teas instead of regular tea.
- Get enough rest. If youre overly tired, you may be more tempted to turn to caffeine for a quick pick-me-up.
- Take a walk. If you feel tired during the day, try walking for 5 to 10 minutes. This may give you a boost of energy and help you avoid that extra cup of coffee.
Treatment for BPH varies. You may not need treatment, or you may need medication or surgery. In addition to limiting caffeine, you may benefit from these lifestyle habits:
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Is Having One Or Two Drinks Ok
There is no level of alcohol that is deemed safe to combine with prostate cancer medications like bicalutamide. Everyones tolerance of both anti-androgen medications and alcohol is unique, and it can be hard to predict how much alcohol is OK to drink. Its best to speak with your healthcare provider before drinking any alcohol with these medications.
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When Do Prostate Problems Begin
Be proactive with your health for their sake
There are some men out there wholl exhibit prostate problems by the time theyre in their 30s and 40s. When this happens, they need to seek immediate medical attention. However, other symptoms might not manifest until men are in the later stages of their lives.
One analysis looked at the transition zone of the prostate of men at different stages in their lives .
The volunteers fell into the following age ranges:
4049 Years
6069 Years
Results found that height and width of the prostate increased gradually over time. However, it would peak as men became senior citizens.
This analysis concluded,
Prostate width and height had a relatively stable rate of increase and changed little among men aged 4049 and 5059 years. However, after 60 years old, the rate of increase in prostate length increased, creating an increase in prostate diameter. This shows that before the age of 60 years, the prostate grows slowly, while after the age of 60 years, the length becomes the main growth line.
The most efficient way to prolong this growth is to be proactive with your wellness. Thats why you should consume this list of drinks for prostate health. Otherwise, you might run the risk of developing alife-altering condition. Lets take a closer look.
What Can I Drink For An Enlarged Prostate
There are a number of drinks that are beneficial for the prostate gland when it is enlarged. Green tea can be helpful as it may reduce inflammation, plus it has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties to keep infections at bay. These are more common amongst men who cannot empty their bladder properly because of an enlarged prostate.
Although green tea does contain caffeine, which is known to be problematic for sufferers of an enlarged prostate, the quantities are very small. Also, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nature of green tea outweigh any negatives.
Drinking plenty of water is also super important as it reduces the concentration of urine in the bladder thus easing irritation in the area. Id recommend increasing your intake gradually though, to avoid any adverse effects like more frequent urination.
So, what are the key points you should take away from this?
- Alcohol can worsen enlarged prostate symptoms in a number of ways and for a number of different reasons too
- Age, hormones, activity levels and smoking are more likely influence the development of an enlarged prostate than alcohol is
- Stick to the guidelines regarding alcohol consumption that 16 units a week
- If you need help reducing your alcohol intake then visit your GP or take a look a look at online resources provided by the NHS and Drink Aware
- Plain, still water and green tea can be beneficial for an enlarged prostate.
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Can People’s Genes Affect Their Risk Of Alcohol
A personâs risk of alcohol-related cancers is influenced by their genes, specifically the genes that encode enzymes involved in metabolizing alcohol .
For example, one way the body metabolizes alcohol is through the activity of an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase, or ADH, which converts ethanol into the carcinogenic metabolite acetaldehyde, mainly in the liver. Recent evidence suggests that acetaldehyde production also occurs in the oral cavity and may be influenced by factors such as the oral microbiome .
Many individuals of East Asian descent carry a version of the gene for ADH that codes for a “superactive” form of the enzyme. This superactive ADH enzyme speeds the conversion of alcohol to toxic acetaldehyde. Among people of Japanese descent, those who have this form of ADH have a higher risk of pancreatic cancer than those with the more common form of ADH .
Another enzyme, called aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 , metabolizes toxic acetaldehyde to non-toxic substances. Some people, particularly those of East Asian descent, carry a variant of the gene for ALDH2 that encodes a defective form of the enzyme. In people who produce the defective enzyme, acetaldehyde builds up when they drink alcohol. The accumulation of acetaldehyde has such unpleasant effects that most people who have inherited the ALDH2 variant are unable to consume large amounts of alcohol and therefore have a low risk of developing alcohol-related cancers.