Diet tips to reduce the risk of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms cancer in men, but you can often lower the risk simply by eating healthier and practising a healthy lifestyle.

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is always recommended for good health, but for the purposes of reducing the risk of prostate cancer, try to consume those that are red, such as tomatoes and watermelon. These red fruits contain lycopene, which is an excellent antioxidant for prostate cancer prevention. Pink grapefruit is also beneficial.

Enjoy snacks made with tomato paste to ensure you get a good amount of this cancer-fighting food each day. A simple snack of crackers spread with tomato paste with cheese on top is not only appetizing, but is also a good source of lycopene. When you purchase canned tomato products in the supermarket, look for those that have a low sodium content to protect your health.

You can add cancer-fighting foods to your diet by purchasing nuts, sunflower seeds and trail mix, or even by making your own trail mix out of a few different whole grain products. Whole grains contain the antioxidant selenium, which helps to prevent cancer. You can also purchase selenium as a supplement, but it is recommended that you take no more than 400 mg daily or you might experience some adverse effects.

Helpful for maintaining weight due to their high fibre and protein content, beans and lentils also help to prevent various types of cancer, including prostate cancer. A healthy weight is always recommended for cancer prevention, so be sure to include many beans and lentils in your diet. You can find plenty of ways to include beans and lentils in side dishes served with regular meals, such as hummus, soups and salads.

Try to include as many of the above foods as possible in your daily diet for the best chance of reducing the risks of prostate cancer. No one food group or nutrient provides everything for good health, so it is important to eat a well-balanced diet and adopt a healthier lifestyle to improve your general sense of well-being.