What dietary precautions should patients with prostatitis take? Which foods should be avoided and which should be consumed more?

Bro, if you've got prostatitis, besides following the doctor's orders with meds and treatment, you absolutely can't neglect your diet. Put simply, when our "little brother" is inflamed, it's like a small fire at home—some foods pour fuel on the flames, while others help put it out. Keeping your diet in check can make the treatment twice as effective and make you feel a lot more comfortable.

Let me break it down for you: who's the "enemy" and who's the "friend." Easy to remember.

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Key Points: Avoid These if Possible (Blacklist)

These foods can cause prostate congestion and swelling, worsen inflammation, and make symptoms like frequent urination, urgency, and pelvic discomfort even more bothersome.

1. Spicy "Fire Starters"

   • Examples: Chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, ginger, raw garlic, mustard, curry, etc.
   • Why avoid: These are like adding fuel to the fire of inflammation. They irritate the prostate and urethra, causing blood vessels to dilate and organs to become congested, immediately worsening symptoms. You might enjoy the meal today, but suffer in the bathroom tomorrow.

2. Alcohol, the "Big Traitor"

   • Examples: Baijiu, beer, wine, huangjiu... anything with alcohol counts.
   • Why avoid: Alcohol is a vasodilator. Drinking it causes blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the prostate, to expand. When it's already inflamed, this congestion makes it swell even more, squeezing the urethra narrower. Difficulty urinating and pain will follow. Especially baijiu—must quit!

3. Greasy, Fried "Troublemakers"

   • Examples: Fried chicken, french fries, fatty meats, BBQ, etc.
   • Why avoid: These foods are hard to digest and can easily cause constipation. Think about it: the rectum and prostate are neighbors. If you have a "traffic jam" down there, it puts pressure on the "neighbor" next door, increasing its burden and discomfort.

4. Be Cautious with Some "Inflammatory Foods"

   • Examples: Beef, lamb, dog meat, and seafood like shrimp and crab.
   • Why avoid: In Traditional Chinese Medicine, these are considered "inflammatory foods" (发物 - fāwù) that can trigger or worsen inflammation. It's not that you can never eat them, but during an acute flare-up or when symptoms are severe, it's best to avoid them first. Try small amounts later when things stabilize.

5. Caffeine and Sugary Drinks

   • Examples: Coffee, strong tea, cola, milk tea, etc.
   • Why avoid: These drinks have a diuretic effect but also irritate the bladder, making you feel the need to urinate more frequently and worsening symptoms of urgency and frequency.

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Our "Good Friends": Eat More of These (Redlist)

These foods help fight inflammation, provide nutrition, and are like a "warm coat" for your prostate.

1. Tomatoes and Their "Relatives" – Lycopene Powerhouses

   • Examples: Tomatoes, watermelon, grapefruit, apricots.
   • Why eat more: The "lycopene" in tomatoes is a treasure—a powerful antioxidant highly effective for protecting prostate health. Tip: Cooked tomatoes (like in scrambled eggs with tomato or tomato soup) make lycopene easier to absorb.

2. Zinc-Rich "Power Bars"

   • Examples: Pumpkin seeds (this is the star food!), walnuts, oysters, lean meats, eggs.
   • Why eat more: Zinc is a crucial component of prostatic fluid and has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Getting enough zinc is like boosting the prostate's "fighting power." Eating a small handful of pumpkin seeds daily is simple and effective.

3. High-Fiber "Cleanup Crew"

   • Examples: Apples, bananas, oats, corn, various leafy greens (like spinach, broccoli, celery).
   • Why eat more: They help keep your bowel movements regular and prevent constipation. As mentioned above, not causing trouble for the "neighbor" is the best support for the prostate.

4. Diuretic & Anti-Swelling "Natural Plumbers"

   • Examples: Mung beans, winter melon, barley, adzuki beans.
   • Why eat more: These foods have a gentle diuretic effect. They help you urinate more, flushing the urethra and reducing swelling. Try making some mung bean soup or winter melon soup.

5. The Most Important One – Plain Water!

   • Why drink more: Drinking plenty of water and urinating frequently is like "washing" the urethra. It dilutes urine concentration, reduces irritation to the prostate, and helps flush out bacteria. Remember, don't hold it in—go when you feel the urge. This is crucial for recovery.

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To sum it up in one sentence:

Keep your diet light, ditch the tobacco, alcohol, and spice, drink plenty of water, and eat more veggies, fruits, and nuts.

Bro, prostatitis is a chronic condition; you can't rush it. Besides watching your diet, get moving (moderate exercise, avoid sitting too long), keep a positive mindset, and take your meds and follow-ups on schedule. Stick with it, and things will definitely get better!