Prostatitis is the general term for inflammation of the prostate.
It is a common condition that can affect men of all ages, although it is especially prevalent in men aged 30- 50 years.
There are several different types of prostatitis, including;
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis.
- Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).
- Asymptomatic prostatitis.
Diagnosing the type of prostatitis you have will help to determine the cause, and therefore, the best treatment plan.
In the case of acute bacterial prostatitis caused by a bacterial infection, a course of antibiotics is usually prescribed.
Bacterial infection also causes chronic bacterial prostatitis. It’s seen in men who’ve had frequent UTIs (urinary tract infection).
However, some research has suggested that dietary changes could also be useful.
This article will take a closer look at the link between diet and prostatitis.
What is prostatitis?
As touched upon prostatitis is a condition that causes inflammation to develop in the prostate gland. In some cases, the disease can be acute and will get better in a short period.
Some men, however, may develop chronic prostatitis. This is when the inflammation persists over a longer period of time.
Among male patients who consult with a specialist, prostatitis is one of the most commonly diagnosed diseases.
An estimated two million men who account for outpatient visits in the United States are diagnosed with prostatitis each year.
It is estimated that about 8.2% of all men will experience symptoms associated with prostatitis during their lifetime.
Symptoms of prostatitis
Symptoms of prostatitis will vary in their severity, depending on the type you have. Some of the most common signs and symptoms include:
- Painful urination, difficult and/or frequent urinating.
- Blood in the urine/ Cloudy urine.
- Pain in the abdomen, groin or lower back.
- Pain in the area between the scrotum and rectum (perineum).
- Pain or discomfort of the penis or testicles.
- Pelvic pain.
- Fever, chills and body aches / flu-like symptoms.
- Urethral discharge.
- Burning after ejaculation or sexual dysfunction.
- Pain during sexual intercourse.
How does diet affect prostatitis?
Diet is the cornerstone of good health, and although no single diet for prostatitis has been established, many studies have shown that certain foods and drinks can trigger symptoms.
A study published in Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice reviewed 2,385 patients (1,710 men and 675 women) with symptoms of prostatitis or the urethral syndrome.
All patients were treated with a strict diet, which eliminated caffeine, alcohol, and hot, spicy foods for 12 weeks.
Overall, the results showed an 87% success rate in men and an 89% success rate in women after 12 weeks of dietary treatment only.
Spicy foods, caffeine, and alcohol were again identified as symptom aggregators in a 2013 study.
The study published in the Journal of Urology found that about half of 95 CP/CPPS patients surveyed reported that certain foods and beverages aggravated their symptoms.
These included spicy foods (such as hot peppers and chili), coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages.
It was also determined that water, herbal teas, fiber, and stool softeners alleviated symptoms.
Experts recommend drinking plenty of fluids and eating high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Further research…
In a more recent study, the effects of both diet and lifestyle on chronic prostatitis/ pelvic pain syndrome were examined. 784 men with CP/CPPS were enrolled in this study.
The results indicated that age, night shift work, stress, smoking, alcohol consumption, low water intake, an imbalanced diet, delaying ejaculation and holding urine were identified as potential risk factors for chronic prostatitis.
Moreover, a sedentary lifestyle, caffeinated drinks, and low water intake were associated with severe pain in patients with chronic prostatitis.
Get Your FREE Enlarged Prostate Diet Plan
- 20+ delicious prostate-friendly
- Developed exclusively by our nutritionist
- Helps reduce prostate size and symptoms
Foods to include in a prostatitis diet
A healthy diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats is thought to benefit prostate health and may help to relieve symptoms associated with prostatitis. Some dietary changes that you can consider include:
- Cruciferous vegetables, which contain beta-carotene and can have anti-inflammatory effects, benefiting prostate health problems, including prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
- Fruits, such as berries are high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals and can boost immune function. However, avoid acidic citrus fruits if they exacerbate your prostatitis.
- Drinking plenty of fluids, such as 1.5 to 2 liters of water is recommended.
- Herbal teas are also a good option. Green tea, in particular, has been found in studies to improve urine flow and decrease urological inflammation.
- High-quality protein.
- As well as being beneficial for the treatment of an enlarged prostate, studies support that zinc is helpful for prostatitis. Food high in zinc include nuts, seeds, shellfish, meat, and eggs.
- Omega-3 fatty acids and healthy fats found in the Mediterranean diet can help to reduce inflammation.
- Tomatoes are packed with an antioxidant known as lycopene, which may benefit prostate gland cells.
- Foods high in fiber, to avoid constipation, which can be painful if your prostate is inflamed.
Foods to avoid in a prostatitis diet
You need to figure out and avoid foods that can aggravate your symptoms. They will vary according to the individual, but some foods that have been commonly found to irritate prostatitis symptoms. Prostatitis foods to avoid include:
- Caffeine.
- Alcohol.
- Spicy Foods can contain capsaicin, which can increase rectal sensitivity in men with irritable bowel syndrome.
- High sodium intake may increase the urinary tract symptoms associated with prostate disease.
- Gluten is a common food intolerance, which can cause inflammation. Therefore a gluten-free diet may help to relieve prostatitis symptoms.
Treatment for prostatitis
Prostate infections affect many men and can cause uncomfortable and even painful symptoms.
Luckily, as well as changes to diet, there are effective treatment options available.
Medication
For bacterial prostatitis, antibiotics are usually prescribed, lasting for three to four weeks. In non-bacterial chronic prostatitis, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, alpha-blockers, and alternative remedies help relieve symptoms.
Natural alternatives
Natural alternatives have also been found effective for the treatment of prostatitis, including:
- Quercetin- A double-blind study demonstrated reduced pelvic floor pain using quercetin.
- Bee pollen- Bee pollen showed both nutritional and anti-microbial benefits in men with prostate inflammation.
- Saw palmetto- Saw palmetto also has potent anti-inflammatory properties and may be useful for treating prostatitis.
- Pollen extract- In a study, patients given pollen extract reported more significant improvement in symptoms of chronic non-bacterial prostatitis.
Exercise
Being active helps to maintain a healthy weight, which benefits your overall health. Aerobic exercises, in particular, have been shown to relieve prostatitis symptoms.
Italian researchers randomly assigned 231 men with prostatitis to do exercises three times a week for 18 weeks. One group participated in aerobic exercise, and the other group did non-aerobic exercise.
The researchers found that although both groups felt better, the group that had done aerobic exercise experienced significantly more significant improvements in CPPS pain levels, as well as improvements in anxiety and depression.
Pelvic floor exercises have also been shown to benefit some men with urinary symptoms.
Conclusion
While prostatitis is not a life-threatening condition, it can result in debilitating symptoms.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms discussed, visit your urologist. They will be able to diagnose the type of prostatitis and then decide the best course of treatment.
Alongside antibiotic treatment, natural alternatives, and lifestyle changes can help relieve symptoms.
One of the simplest ways to start treating urinary tract issues, as a result of prostate disorders, is Prostate Healer.
This powerful healing tincture contains 9 of the most potent rejuvenating herbs available in Ayurvedic science. It’s an effective, fast-working tincture, and because it is an all-natural formula and non-GMO, there are no side effects.
It has been formulated to effectively combat BPH and prostatitis and provide symptomatic relief from urgency, frequency, and nocturia. It works on the prostate, kidney, and bladder simultaneously, coaxing cells gently to resume normal function.
By this action, you’re fighting against prostatitis and BPH If you’re like many men that use the formula, you’ll see a reduction in the number of times you get up to go to the bathroom to urinate, plus see an improvement in the flow of your urine.
For more information on Prostate Healer and how it can improve your urinary symptoms, click here.

one part says No tea ..then another says herbal teas are good …which is it
Hi there, thanks for getting in touch. Herbal teas contain little to none caffeine so are a good option. The Ben’s Natural Health Team.
Are dairy products recommended for a person with prostatitis
Hi Wonga, thanks for getting in touch. No, we don’t recommend dairy products. Dairy mimics estrogen which encourages the conversion of testosterone to DHT. DHT causes prostate cancer.
We suggest switching to naturally produced goat dairy products, which has a better nutritional balance and won’t irritate the prostate. Wishing you good health, The Ben’s Natural Health Team.
How much one can intake green tea in a week?
Hi Ashish, thanks for getting in touch. Drinking three to five cups of green tea per day seems to be optimal to reap the most health benefits. Very high doses may be problematic for some, but generally, green tea’s benefits far outweigh its risks. In fact, drinking more green tea may greatly improve your health.However, if you are suffering from urinary issues, you may take green tea from breakfast to lunch and stop all liquid intakes by 6PM in order to prevent night time urination. Wishing you good health, The Ben’s Natural Health Team.
Open a Branch in Uganda to easy our treatment
Can you tell me a vegetarian diet that would be beneficial against cpps, and also an alternative for wheat
Hi Gaurav, thanks for getting in touch. We recommend the Keto diet. This isn’t an explicitly vegetarian diet but can definitely be enjoyed without meat. Vegetables, especially cruciferous vegetables. Fruits (but avoid acidic fruits if they affect your prostatitis) High-quality protein (plant protein is better than animal) Foods high in zinc are good for CPPS as well.
Regarding wheat check out this link: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322985#other-alternatives. If you have any further questions, please get in touch with our team via [email protected]. Wishing you good health, The Ben’s Natural Health Team.
Please Help , I do not need surgery for my prostate.Very difficult to pass urine. How can i do .Our food is “Spicy foods ‘caffeine daily i drink .Itake Antibiotics but not for two weeks.
Hi Mohammed, sorry to hear about yor experience. It may be best to get in touch with our support team to disucss this in further detail. You can contact them via our toll free number 1-888-868-3554 in the US and +44 (0) 845 423 8877 in the UK. Wishing you good health, The Ben’s Natural Health Team.
Did it help anyone??? Or it just can help – lottery?
Hi Denis, dietary changes, combined with regular exercise can help to improve your prostate health. In terms of prostattits, our Prostate Healer tincture is formulated with immune boosting compounds that specifically target fungal, bacterial and viral infections of the prostate, bladder and urinary system. To learn how Prostate Healer has helped other men check out the reviews here: https://www.bensnaturalhealth.com/health-products/ben-s-prostate-healer.html