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Carbohydrate Consumption and Diet in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Question

Can excessive carbohydrate intake influence the development and progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)? Should men diagnosed with prostate enlargement regulate their consumption of bread and other flour-based products, which are among the main dietary sources of carbohydrates? Which sweets are allowed in a diet for BPH, and which sweet foods should be completely avoided to prevent worsening prostate symptoms? It is also important to consider nutrition strategies for BPH management and the impact of high-sugar foods on metabolic health.

Answer

Carbohydrate Diet and Nutrition in BPH

Carbohydrates are one of the main sources of energy required for the proper functioning of the human body. However, like other macronutrients, they have important physiological limits. Excessive carbohydrate intake in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia—especially refined carbohydrates, sugar, and flour-based products—leads to elevated blood glucose levels. Such spikes in blood sugar place a significant burden on the endocrine system and can contribute to metabolic and hormonal dysfunctions, which may aggravate hormone-related prostate enlargement.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a hormone-dependent condition that may develop or worsen against the background of these imbalances. In men with BPH, repeated increases in blood glucose after high-carbohydrate meals can be perceived by the prostate gland as indirect signals that stimulate tissue growth. This explains why uncontrolled consumption of bread, sweets, and flour-based foods in BPH may accelerate prostate enlargement and intensify urinary symptoms. Maintaining a proper balanced diet for prostate health is therefore essential to reduce progression risk.

An essential aspect of managing benign prostatic hyperplasia is a substantial reduction in the consumption of animal fats and proteins of animal origin. This dietary adjustment is often necessary to reduce metabolic load and inflammatory processes associated with prostate disorders. However, the resulting energy deficit must be compensated thoughtfully and strategically, using low-glycemic carbohydrates and fiber-rich foods.

In practice, many men, without fully understanding the principles of a proper diet for BPH, attempt to compensate by sharply increasing their intake of carbohydrates, including bread, pastries, sweets, and other flour-based foods. This approach is a serious mistake. Replacing animal fats with refined carbohydrates in a BPH diet may worsen insulin resistance, disrupt hormonal balance, and ultimately contribute to further prostate growth rather than support recovery or stabilization. Incorporating low-glycemic foods for BPH can improve outcomes and reduce metabolic strain.

About the Glycemic Index

How can one make informed food choices? Today, one of the most effective ways to regulate carbohydrate intake is to understand the glycemic index. This value indicates how a particular food affects blood sugar levels after consumption. It is rarely found on product packaging or labels but is widely available online (you can search for: glycemic index of foods). Optimal and relatively clear information on the glycemic index is often presented in comparative tables. I have not included these tables in full here because glycemic index values for the same foods can vary significantly between sources. Logically, it is unreasonable to dismiss these differences as mere carelessness or whimsy of the compilers.

Without analysis, it is clear that different varieties of grapes or apples (sour-sweet, sweet) affect blood sugar differently. Similarly, when preserving fruits, each household uses different ingredients and recipes in varying proportions. I believe the same applies to commonly consumed products such as white bread. Standards today are conditional, and its preparation varies by region (different recipes, flour quality, and ingredient proportions). Nevertheless, there is no alternative but to use the available data. It is better than remaining uninformed and doing nothing.

The concept is simple: the higher the glycemic index of a product, the stronger its effect on blood sugar, and its inclusion in the diet at mature or older age should be either very limited or completely avoided. High-index foods have values of 65–70 and above, low-index foods 40 and below, and anything between 40 and 65 is considered medium. Understanding glycemic index for prostate-friendly foods helps men adjust their diet safely.

How should one apply this knowledge? Numerous supposedly balanced diets exist, but some specialists recommend them while others refute them. Most advice is primarily aimed at managing diabetes and obesity. This content addresses the problem of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Therefore, my recommendations are presented specifically in the context of this condition and focus on prostate health nutrition tips for long-term wellness.

Harm, like benefit, is systemic. You should know that excess blood sugar not only overloads the endocrine glands. Frequent fluctuations in blood composition, for example, thin vascular tissue and make it fragile, leading to further negative consequences. Increased stiffness and fragility of blood vessels reduce the quality of circulation, and impaired circulation in the male pelvic area creates a predisposition for BPH development. Awareness of blood sugar control in BPH is therefore critical.

I deliberately do not list overtly harmful products such as sweet carbonated drinks, modified starch, or potato chips, as these are strictly prohibited in benign prostatic hyperplasia and chronic prostatitis. Their harm is systemic, and they are entirely unnecessary for the body. Awareness of foods to avoid in BPH diet supports prevention of prostate inflammation.

Keep in mind a list of common foods with a high glycemic index (various types of white bread, sweet rolls, sticky rice, sugar, honey, semolina, most potato dishes, canned fruits) and make a conscious effort to reduce their consumption. Some items can be substituted without harm. For example, completely avoiding white bread is safe, and switching to rye or wholegrain bread, which has a medium glycemic index, is simple. Yeast-free bread is also highly recommended and is included in my diet.

Instead of fried potatoes (index – 95) or mashed potatoes (index – 85), one can prepare boiled potatoes in their skins, which have a much lower index – 65. By consulting glycemic index tables, you will also understand why beer is harmful, not only because it is a low-alcohol carbonated drink but primarily due to its very high index (110).

In most cases, positive changes will become noticeable fairly quickly. Everything becomes even clearer if you use commonly available medical devices for self-monitoring – a blood pressure monitor, thermometer (to observe how your body temperature changes immediately after consuming certain foods), and, if available, a glucometer.

There is no need to fear test results. Reasonable concern is justified only when the problem is insurmountable. The word “test” shares a root with “analyze” and is intended to help analyze how you are managing benign prostatic hyperplasia or chronic prostatitis and to correct the problem. After making the necessary adjustments, focus on your personal indicators such as sleep quality, work capacity, irritability level, appetite, and pelvic vascular health.

Analyze Your Diet

In my practice, there have been many cases where even a single dietary recommendation became a key factor in improving the healing process. Once, I consulted a patient diagnosed with early-stage benign prostatic hyperplasia. He enthusiastically followed my “Without Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia” method. By nature, he was sociable and showed a pleasant curiosity, eager to understand the finer details of the healing process, and he applied the advice diligently.

In addition to benign prostatic hyperplasia, he was also diagnosed with first-degree arterial hypertension, which had persisted for over two years. The treatment process went smoothly, and the first positive results appeared. The patient completely stopped taking blood pressure-lowering medications. He did not use drugs for BPH, specifically 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors and alpha-blockers designed to act on the prostate. I emphasize that he approached treatment responsibly, conducting regular self-monitoring.

However, a problem arose. He noticed that in the mornings after waking, and often in the evenings, his blood pressure exceeded normal levels (145/90 millimeters of mercury). Normal blood pressure is one of the essential conditions for recovery; without it, further progress is impossible.

We began analyzing the situation together. His physical activity was reasonable and performed correctly, and after exercise, his blood pressure normalized for extended periods. No mental stress occurred during this period. Then we examined his diet. At first glance, all restrictions seemed to be followed. To address the problem, I took a short pause. A few days later, I asked how much bread and other flour-based products he consumed daily. It turned out to be excessive. I advised temporarily removing them from the diet. Within a day, his blood pressure stabilized. It remained only to adjust the consumption of similar carbohydrates to safe levels. Subsequent progress improved significantly.

Carbohydrates and Natural Remedies for Enhancing Potency

There is a lot of information online (sometimes conflicting) about aphrodisiacs—substances that enhance potency, usually found in harmless forms in certain foods. Almost no one mentions that when using stimulants, it is important not to combine them with antagonists that suppress libido (anaphrodisiacs). You can eat as many nuts (walnuts, pine nuts, almonds, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, and others), parsley and onions, shrimp and oysters, and spices (cinnamon, ginger, saffron) as you like, but if you combine them with white bread (glycemic index often reported as 75 or higher) or oven-baked potatoes (glycemic index – 95), the desired effect is unlikely to occur. This is rarely discussed, yet a stable increase in blood sugar is one of the key causes of reduced potency. From this, it is clear that aphrodisiacs, especially plant-based ones, are beneficial in BPH and prostatitis and do no harm.

What Is Allowed and What Is Not

Which sweets can remain in the diet with benign prostatic hyperplasia, and which should be avoided? Here is the answer. I once read that several centuries ago, annual sugar consumption (the basis of sweet dishes) was two kilograms per person per year. I cannot verify the accuracy, but today statistics indicate this amount has increased twentyfold. However, it is said that the human body does not particularly need sugar. Be moderate and selective. Fresh fruits and berries are beneficial (apricots, tangerines, cherries, pears, pomegranates, grapefruit, cranberries). However, some fruits have a fairly high glycemic index, such as dates and pumpkin. Melon and watermelon are not the best choices. Every plant-based product is naturally seasonal, but this shortage can be avoided. Many of us can prepare and store useful products. In my family, some fruits and berries are frozen for long-term storage, and I recently started using a food dehydrator for fruits, berries, and vegetables, which works very well.

I strongly recommend avoiding store-bought sweets, especially in combination with confectionery “bread” (sponge cake, shortcrust, custard, puff pastry). I also advise limiting complex multi-ingredient dishes, or at least checking their recipes before consumption. In home cooking, I follow a simple psychological rule: consume sweets prepared by my spouse not always, and when eating, take half the usual portion, but do so slowly (psychologically, this leads to better satiety). Chocolate or sugar-based products (caramel, toffee, chocolate and chocolate candies, lollipops, candied fruit, and similar) should be avoided, not only due to a high glycemic index but also because their quality has become questionable, especially products from major manufacturers.

If cravings are strong, a small amount is acceptable, particularly when the prostate is healthy, that is, no signs of BPH. I recommend buying sweets designed exclusively for small children. This minimizes the risk of consuming harmful substances.

Is coffee allowed? This beverage is better avoided, especially when combined with sugar.

The conclusion is simple. Acquiring knowledge is never harmful. Familiarizing yourself with this information takes little time and increases your understanding of overall health.

Respectfully, Gennadiy Plotyan, author of content on the symptoms, diagnostic nuances, and treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Further, a more useful introduction to prostate treatment methods is available: Русский, Українська, English, Türkçe, العربية, Deutsch, Français, Italiano, Español, Português, Język Polski.
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