DISCOVER

5FOODS THAT HELP PREVENT PROSTATE CANCER

By Randy Cowen

Prostate cancer is a problem in the African American community. African American men have the highest diagnosis rates of any race in the United States. It often starts earlier, affecting black men in their late 30s and 40s, and tends to be more aggressive in African American males than other ethnicities. Scientists aren't sure why.

Alongside regular prostate exams, a healthy diet can help to prevent cancer from developing in the prostate. Here are 6 foods that are well known prostate cancer fighters: TOMATOES: Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant and anti-cancer agent that slows down tumor growth. Research has shown that men who ate raw and cooked tomatoes were less prone to developing prostate cancer than men never ever ate those foods. Our bodies have difficulty extracting and absorbing lycopene from tomatoes. So, cooked tomatoes, pureed tomatoes or tomato products, like tomato juice, can be better options for encouraging prostate health. BROCCOLI: Canadian researchers have found that diets with high amounts of broccoli can decrease the risk of cancer, especially aggressive prostate cancer. Concrete, scientific reasons for this is still unclear. Many think the key agent is the sulforaphane in broccoli, a phytochemical that selectively destroys cancer cells while leaving the healthy prostate cells alone. GREEN TEA: Green Tea has been a key component in Asian diets for many years and Asian countries have the lowest rates of prostate cancer. Whether this is because of green tea is unclear. However, a study conducted by the Japan Health Center found that out of 50,000 men, prostate cancer diagnoses were almost 50% less frequent in those that drank more than 5 cups of green tea per day. Green tea contains catechin, EGCG and epicatechin. There's research to support that these compounds are powerful prostate cancer fighters. LEGUMES: Research has shown that beans, peanuts and lentils contain cancer fighting agents that restrict tumor growth. Soy is also important. Review papers have shown that high soy consumption can reduce cancer occurrence by 30%. POMEGRANATE JUICE: Studies have found that drinking 8 ounces of pomegranate juice can reduce the PSA levels in the system. PSA stands for Prostate Specific Antigen and their reduction often indicates that the cancer has stopped progressing. Research suggests that the antioxidants in pomegranate, like those found in broccoli, seek and destroy cancer cells without harming the healthy prostate cells.

We know that healthy eating can seem like a drag, but there's nothing cool about being careless with your health. Think of these foods and regular prostate check ups as investments into a long, healthy life.