The prostate gland is a part of the male reproductive system and it produces seminal fluid. It continues growing for the rest of a man’s life after he turns 25. An enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a common problem among men. The enlarged prostrate suppresses the urethra, which affects the urine flow. If one suffers from nighttime urination, frequent urination, urinary hesitation, or weak urine stream, they may be diagnosed with BPH.

Foods that can help tackle an enlarged prostate include:

Tomatoes
Tomatoes are highly beneficial in managing an enlarged prostate. Research indicates that lycopene found in tomatoes can help slow the progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Bell peppers
Bell peppers contain a variety of essential vitamins and minerals. In fact, vitamin C present in bell peppers can help fight BPH.

Salmon
Salmon has high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids that keep the body healthy. Adding salmon to daily meals while indulging in physical activity can prevent excessive weight gain, which in turn helps in managing an enlarged prostate.

Nuts
Zinc is usually found in high concentrations in the prostate. Nuts such as almonds and cashews contain high amounts of zinc that balance testosterone and DHT levels in the body. This can be helpful in managing an enlarged prostate.

Broccoli
Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Bok choy, and cauliflower contain sulforaphane that targets cancerous cells in the body and promotes prostate health.

Saw palmetto
One of the most popular herbal treatments for enlarged prostate is the use of saw palmetto. There are several studies that indicate that saw palmetto helps reduce the size of the inner lining of the prostate by inhibiting the production of testosterone.

African Plum Extract or Pygeum
The African plum extract has an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect on the urogenital tract because of the high amount of alcohols, fatty acids, and sterols such as the beta-sitosterol. Studies show that having around 100–200 mg of pygeum extract daily or splitting it into half and consuming it twice a day helps in reducing BPH symptoms.

Zishen Yutai Pill or the ZYP
The ZYP is an ancient Chinese mixture of three plants dating back to the 13th century. This is one of the herbal treatments for prostate enlargement that is still being studied for its effectiveness. Research has shown that the Zishen formula can help reduce the occurrence of BPH. However, more studies are being conducted for the same.

Rye-grass pollen
Most of the pharmaceutical supplements that are used for the BPH treatments have rye-grass pollen. Using supplements made from rye-grass pollen is one of the effective herbal treatments for prostate enlargement. Even though this has shown effectiveness in shrinking the prostate, there has not been any large-scale study of the same.

Babassu
This is a species of palm tree commonly seen in Brazil. Many Brazilian tribal communities use the dried and the ground kernels from the tree to treat the symptoms of urogenital problems. The oil from the babassu nuts has also exhibited effectiveness in the production of testosterone. The other parts of the nuts have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics.

Pumpkin seed
Another effective herbal treatment for prostate enlargement involves consuming around 10g of pumpkin seed extract daily. Beta-sitosterol, a compound similar to cholesterol, has been found in the pumpkin seeds. Beta-sitosterol helps in improving the urine flow. It also helps in reducing the amount of urine left in the bladder.

Stinging nettle
Like in the case of pygeum and saw palmetto, stinging nettle also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that are very effective in the treatment of an enlarged prostate. Sometimes, the nettle roots are combined with saw palmetto and are then used.

Lycopene
This natural pigment found in most of the fruits and vegetables has been found to be one of the most effective herbal treatments for prostate enlargement. It helps in slowing the progression of BPH. The lycopene content is higher if the fruit or vegetable is deep pink in color. This antioxidant is found mostly in tomatoes, papaya, watermelon, guava, grapefruit, apricots, red bell pepper, and red cabbage.

Zinc
BPH is likely to increase if the chronic zinc deficiency in your body increases. Intake of dietary zinc or zinc supplements will help in reducing the urine-related symptoms associated with the BPH. Poultry, seeds, nuts, and seafood are some of the sources of zinc.

Green tea
Catechins are antioxidants found in green tea that have shown positive results in the treatment of an enlarged prostate. Green tea also contains caffeine that stimulates the bladder and increases the urge to urinate, which can potentially have a negative effect on BHP symptoms.

VitalFlow
Vitalflow helps optimize the functioning capabilities of the prostate gland. This helps relieve a number of urinary troubles. VitalFlow for the prostate contains ingredients like saw palmetto berries and Graviola leaves, which help maximize the efficiency of the prostate gland. This helps tackle conditions such as incontinence and dribbling. The recommended dosage for an adult male is two capsules per day.

Keep in mind that one may have an enlarged prostate without experiencing any BPH symptoms, whereas some others might experience advanced urinary problems without the enlargement of the prostate. Therefore, it is better to consult a doctor if you seem to have any of these symptoms. Moreover, it is recommended to follow the above mentioned herbal treatments for an enlarged prostate after consulting a doctor. Even though this is not a life-threatening disease, it is always better to improve your prostate health, and thereby enhance your urinary health through natural treatments.