Studies bring focus to impact of plant-based diet on men’s health

No association found between overall plant-based dietary index and prostate cancer risk

Plant-based diets are associated with multiple health benefits. Previous studies suggest a beneficial role of specific plant-based foods on prostate cancer, but little is known about plant-based dietary patterns and prostate cancer risk, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels or erectile dysfunction.

Researchers sought to determine the potential association between plant-based dietary content and PSA levels among men enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in the US. 

According to the findings, there is a significant association between increased consumption of a healthy plant-based diet and lower PSA levels.

This finding may be incorporated into the shared-decision making process with patients to promote healthier lifestyle choices to reduce the likelihood of prostate biopsy and potential treatment-related morbidity.

Another study has revealed there is no association between the overall plant-based dietary index and a man’s total prostate cancer risk, although greater overall plant-based consumption was associated with a nonsignificant lower risk of fatal prostate cancer.

In additions, researchers have also shown that a healthful plant-based diet is associated with less chance of having erectile dysfunction.