What Are the Worst Foods for Your Prostate? 6 Foods That May Increase Prostate Cancer Risk

As men get older, they are more likely to encounter problems with their prostate. Of these problems, prostate cancer is one of the most serious. 

Prostate cancer is very common and associated with many different risk factors. Things like genetics, getting older, and daily lifestyle habits all affect someone’s risk for prostate cancer. 

For decades, scientists have looked at the relationship between diet and prostate cancer. Below, we’ll go through some of the foods and beverages that are the worst for prostate health — specifically when it comes to prostate cancer. 

1. Fried foods

When you think of comfort food or fast food, fried foods often make up much of the meal. Fried foods are commonplace at social events, restaurants, and in your own home. They include anything cooked in hot oil, such as:

• French fries

• Corn dogs

• Fried cheese sticks

• Fried chicken or turkey legs

• Potato chips

• Fried vegetables, such as pickles, green beans, and okra

• Fried desserts, such as Oreo cookies

• Donuts and funnel cake

While these may be tasty, they come with some health risks — especially for the prostate. When researchers pooled data from multiple studies, they found that people who ate more fried food had a 35% increased rate of prostate cancer. Other studies have found similar results, too. 

Fried food tends to be high in saturated fat, which can be particularly harmful for many aspects of health. But not all fat is bad for you. Some healthy fats — like polyunsaturated fats — may actually improve prostate health. Omega-3 fatty acids, for example, are linked to a reduction in prostate tumor growth. Foods containing omega-3 fat include oily fish, nuts and seeds, and plant oils (like soybean oil). 

2. Processed meats

More research is needed on the connection between different types of meat and prostate health. But one review of the relevant research shows a potential link between processed meats and prostate cancer. Although it did not seem to raise someone’s risk by a lot.

Another study found a positive correlation between processed meat consumption and prostate cancer. This means that the more processed meats you eat, the higher your risk of contracting prostate cancer. 

Examples of processed meat include:

• Bacon

• Deli or lunch meats like turkey, ham, and bologna

• Sausage or bratwurst 

• Hot dogs 

• Smoked meat

• Beef jerky

• Corned beef

• Canned meats

The same study did not find a risk associated with red meat. Red meat is less processed, and comes from pork, beef, veal, or lamb. 

However, other research has found that red meat may still contribute to the development of prostate cancer. One study connected eating hamburgers, grilled red meat, and well-done red meat with poor prostate health. This may be due to high-heat cooking instead of the meat itself, as cooking meat with high heat may release carcinogens into food. 

Research has not found an association between lean meat and prostate cancer development, making lean meats a healthy alternative to eat. Chicken, turkey, and fish are common lean meats.

3. Dairy

Dairy encompasses a wide range of food products. Common dairy items include:

• Milk 

• Cheese

• Yogurt and frozen yogurt

• Ice cream

• Butter

While scientists aren’t exactly sure why, there is evidence that dairy may raise the risk for prostate cancer. But this increased risk is very small. And in their analysis, certain dairy products — like butter and cheese — were associated with increased risk. But whole milk was associated with decreased risk. So there is still a lot of uncertainty around this topic.  

Some research supports the idea that this link is due to higher levels of calcium in dairy, which affects the prostate. Other scientists believe that this link may exist because dairy tends to be higher in fat, and high fat diets may increase risk of prostate cancer. So more research is needed to find out exactly why there is an association between prostate cancer and dairy consumption. 

4. Sugary foods

Scientists believe that sugar intake may elevate prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Increased PSA levels do not mean someone has prostate cancer, but they can be a sign of prostate cancer or other prostate-related health concerns. 

Other research shows that a diet high in carbohydrates (including sugar) is linked to the development of prostate cancer. In this study, bread, pasta, and rice were all carbohydrates associated with higher risk of prostate cancer. 

Sugar is found in many processed foods, such as:

• Desserts, like cookies and brownies

• Frozen dairy treats

• Cereal

• Breads and pastas

• Condiments and sauces

• Yogurt and other dairy products

• Crackers, pretzels, and other snacks

Sugary foods can also lead to additional health concerns. Weight gain, heart disease, diabetes, and other types of cancer are linked to diets high in added sugar. 

There is a difference between naturally occurring carbohydrates and foods with added sugar. Even food groups such as fruits, vegetables, and legumes contain some carbohydrates. However, these foods also contain fiber. Fiber can help you feel full while balancing blood sugar and reducing cholesterol. This makes fruits, vegetables, and legumes better carbohydrate choices than a processed food with added sugar for your prostate and overall health. 

5. Sugar-sweetened beverages

Sugar-sweetened beverages are closely related to overall sugar intake. But research has looked into these products specifically, and how they affect prostate health. 

According to the CDC, sugar-sweetened drinks include a variety of beverages, such as:

• Soda

• Coffee and tea with added sugar

• Sports drinks

• Energy drinks

• Fruit drinks

• Sugar-sweetened water

There are a lot of sugar-sweetened beverages available, and many are hidden in plain sight.

Similar to research on sugary foods, sugar-sweetened beverages are associated with the risk of prostate cancer. One study found that sugar-sweetened beverages are more highly associated with prostate cancer than a diet high in sugary foods.

If you are trying to reduce your sugar intake, it may make sense to start with cutting out sugary drinks. Especially if you are making dietary changes for prostate health in particular. 

6. Alcohol

The CDC recommends 2 or fewer standard drinks per day for men to avoid a greater risk of certain cancers. One study found a link between high alcohol intake and prostate cancer development. In this study, high alcohol intake refers to 14 or more alcoholic beverages consumed throughout a week. Additional research shows that this is a dose-dependent relationship. That means the more alcohol you drink, the higher your risk of developing prostate cancer. 

One type of alcohol — red wine — has slightly mixed research. Red wine contains polyphenols, which are useful for lowering inflammation. Red wine is also often part of the Mediterranean diet, which has been associated with health benefits. These include a lower risk of aggressive prostate cancer. 

Even though research suggests alcohol is harmful to prostate health, there is no clear answer about red wine specifically. More research has to be conducted to see if the benefits of red wine outweigh the risk for prostate health. 

Best foods for prostate health

While it may seem like many foods and drinks can harm the prostate, some foods may help prevent prostate cancer. And these food groups provide a large number of benefits for different areas of male health.

Beneficial foods and beverages for both prostate and overall health include:

• Fruits, like apples and bananas

• Vegetables, especially tomatoes and cruciferous vegetables

• Soy

• Fish, especially fatty fish high in omega-3

• Lean meats

• Green tea

Research also shows that people diagnosed with prostate cancer have a better chance of survival when they eat more fruits and vegetables.

It can be difficult to fully eliminate the worst foods for prostate health from your diet. Butadding healthier alternatives is one small change that can support the prostate and reduce the risk of prostate cancer. 

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Written by:

Emily Hulse, MS, RD

Emily is a registered dietitian and wellness writer. Her writing has appeared in Forbes, Sports Illustrated, and MDLinx, among other online health publications.

Edited by:

Katie E. Golden, MD

Katie E. Golden, MD, is a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a medical editor at GoodRx.

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