Scientists reviewed 63 studies to see how different eating patterns affect prostate cancer risk and outcomes. They found that healthy diets rich in plants and anti-inflammatory foods may help prevent prostate cancer in healthy men and slow its progression in men already diagnosed. Mediterranean diets, plant-based eating, and foods that reduce inflammation showed the most promise. While the evidence is stronger for helping men who already have prostate cancer, healthy eating patterns that are good for your heart and metabolism may also protect against developing this common cancer in the first place.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How different eating patterns affect prostate cancer risk, progression, and death rates
  • Who participated: Data from 63 studies including both healthy men and men diagnosed with prostate cancer
  • Key finding: Plant-based and anti-inflammatory diets were linked to lower prostate cancer risk and slower disease progression
  • What it means for you: Eating more plants, following a Mediterranean diet, and choosing anti-inflammatory foods may help protect against prostate cancer, especially if you’re already at risk

The Research Details

Researchers conducted a systematic review, which means they carefully searched medical databases and analyzed all high-quality studies on diet and prostate cancer published through June 2024. They included 49 long-term observational studies that followed men over many years, plus 14 controlled trials where researchers actually changed people’s diets to test effects. This approach gives a comprehensive view of the current evidence by combining results from many different studies conducted around the world.

This type of research is valuable because it combines evidence from multiple studies with different designs, giving us a more complete picture than any single study could provide. The inclusion of both observational studies and controlled trials helps balance real-world eating patterns with more controlled experimental conditions.

The researchers used established quality assessment tools and followed strict guidelines for systematic reviews. However, they noted that studies varied in how they defined healthy diets, measured outcomes, and followed participants over time, which makes it challenging to draw definitive conclusions.

What the Results Show

Among healthy men, those following plant-based diets and eating patterns with higher healthy eating scores had lower rates of developing prostate cancer. The most protective diets were those high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and foods that fight inflammation, while being low in processed foods and red meat. For men already diagnosed with prostate cancer, the evidence was even stronger - Mediterranean diets, plant-based eating, and anti-inflammatory food choices were consistently linked to slower disease progression and lower risk of dying from prostate cancer. These diets appeared to help keep the cancer from getting worse and spreading to other parts of the body.

When researchers looked at controlled trials that tested specific diet changes, the results were mixed for blood markers like PSA (prostate-specific antigen). Some studies showed improvements in these markers, while others didn’t see significant changes. This suggests that while dietary patterns may influence cancer outcomes, the effects on blood tests used to monitor prostate cancer aren’t always immediately apparent.

This review confirms and strengthens previous research suggesting that diet plays a role in prostate cancer. The findings align with what we know about heart-healthy diets also being cancer-protective, supporting the idea that foods good for your cardiovascular system may also help prevent and manage cancer.

The studies reviewed used different definitions of ‘healthy’ diets, making it hard to pinpoint exactly which foods or nutrients are most important. Follow-up times varied widely, and researchers couldn’t completely rule out other lifestyle factors that might explain the results. Additionally, most participants were from Western countries, so results may not apply to all populations.

The Bottom Line

Men should consider adopting eating patterns rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and anti-inflammatory foods while limiting processed foods and excessive red meat. The Mediterranean diet appears particularly promising. Men already diagnosed with prostate cancer may especially benefit from working with healthcare providers to adopt these dietary changes as part of their overall treatment plan.

All men, particularly those over 50 or with family history of prostate cancer, should pay attention to these findings. Men already diagnosed with prostate cancer should discuss dietary changes with their oncologist, as the evidence for slowing progression appears strongest in this group.

Dietary changes for cancer prevention likely need to be sustained over years or decades to show benefits. For men with existing prostate cancer, some studies showed effects within months to a few years, but long-term consistency is key.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily servings of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and inflammatory foods like processed meats and refined sugars
  • Gradually increase plant-based meals to 5-7 per week while reducing processed food intake, using the app to log Mediterranean diet components
  • Monitor adherence to anti-inflammatory eating patterns monthly, tracking improvements in overall diet quality scores and noting any changes in energy levels or well-being

This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice. Men with prostate cancer or concerns about prostate health should consult with their healthcare provider before making significant dietary changes. Individual responses to dietary interventions may vary.