Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet May Improve Symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Adherence to the Mediterranean diet may improve urinary function and reduce symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, offering a promising non-invasive treatment approach.
Recent research indicates that following the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) could be associated with better urinary function and fewer lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The study, published online on July 6 in The Prostate, analyzed the effects of dietary habits on urinary health outcomes.
A team led by İsa Dağlı from the University of Health Sciences in Ankara, Turkey, conducted a prospective study involving 400 men presenting with LUTS. Participants were divided into two groups based on their adherence to the MedDiet, assessed through the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS). The group with high adherence (AMD) consisted of 193 patients, while the non-adherent group (NAMD) included 207 patients.
The findings revealed that patients in the AMD group experienced significantly better urinary flow rates, with an average maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) of 13.87 ml/sec compared to 12.08 ml/sec in the NAMD group. Additionally, the AMD group had notably lower International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSS)—a median score of 9 versus 17 in the NAMD group—indicating milder symptoms. Interestingly, there were no significant differences between the groups regarding average urinary flow, residual urine volume after voiding, or body mass index.
Correlational analysis showed positive relationships between MEDAS scores and Qmax, and strong negative correlations between IPSS and MEDAS scores. This suggests that higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet is linked to improved urinary parameters and symptom relief.
While the researchers caution that these findings are based on observational data and should be interpreted carefully, they highlight the potential of the MedDiet as a non-invasive approach for managing BPH symptoms. Further research is needed to establish causal relationships, but these results add to the growing evidence supporting dietary interventions in urological health.
For more details, see the study: İsa Dağlı et al, The Mediterranean Diet and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Pathway to Improved Urinary Health, The Prostate (2025). [DOI: 10.1002/pros.70009]
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