I don’t know about you, but I’m one of those people who just love drinking. I’m not talking about booze, either—just drinks in general. Coffee, water, and tea are staples. Sometimes I’ll treat myself to a cold beer, glass of wine, or lemonade.
Either way, I’ve pretty much got a mug, glass, bottle, or can close by all day.
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There’s one major drawback to this: near frequent urination. In fact, most mornings, I’m in the bathroom more than I should be as I sip coffee and water throughout the AM.
Coffee, in particular, is a natural diuretic. That means it helps the body pump out water and sodium through the kidneys. There are a host of natural diuretics and pharmaceutical options too.
These drugs, and sometimes natural supplements, are generally used to help people treat high blood pressure and heart disease. By eliminating water and sodium, diuretics reduce blood volume so the heart’s workload reduces with each beat.
But if you’re battling an enlarged prostate, the last thing you want is to make more trips to the toilet. Diuretics can make living with benign prostate hyperplasia even worse. So, you might need to change both what and how you drink.
Kicking off the day with a morning coffee can be okay, provided you don’t have much to do. But if you’re the kind of person who reaches for a cup in the afternoon or after a meal, you’ll want to change your beverage of choice.
One option is tea. Antioxidant-rich green tea may have unique benefits for prostate health that could make BPH, or an enlarged prostate, more manageable. Selecting caffeine-free versions of green tea, or any tea, could also be a big help.
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Caffeine can irritate the prostate and bladder, and research has shown that drinking less can make a substantial difference. One study found that when men consumed at least 234 mg of caffeine per day, they were 72 percent more likely to experience urinary incontinence.
According to the USDA, one 8 oz. cup of coffee contains about 95 mg of caffeine. Caffeine is also found in tea, soda, energy drinks, and chocolate.
Limiting fluid intake and avoiding diuretics is one of the best ways to manage an enlarged prostate. Drink enough water to stay hydrated, but watch the overall intake of caffeine and alcohol. If needed, reach for decaf coffee or tea in the afternoon.
Devon Andre has been involved in the health and dietary supplement industry for a number of years. Devon has written extensively for Bel Marra Health. He has a Bachelor of Forensic Science from the University of Windsor, and went on to complete a Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh. Devon is keenly aware of trends and new developments in the area of health and wellness. He embraces an active lifestyle combining diet, exercise and healthy choices. By working to inform readers of the options available to them, he hopes to improve their health and quality of life.
