Real men eat plants.

According to UC San Francisco research, men with prostate cancer can significantly lower the risk of disease progression by increasing their intake of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and olive oil. The study followed men with a median age of 65 to observe how diet affected cancer progression.

The study analyzed over 2,000 men with localized prostate cancer and found that a primarily plant-based diet reduced the risk of cancer progression by 47%, compared to those who consumed the most animal products. This involved adding just one or two servings per day of healthy foods, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, while reducing dairy and meat intake.

Plant-based diets, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, vegetable oils, tea, and coffee, were measured using a plant-based index. Men in the highest 20% of plant-based consumption had significantly lower cancer progression compared to those in the lowest 20%.

“These results could guide people to make better, more healthful choices across their whole diet, rather than adding or removing select foods,” stated lead author, Vivian Liu.

“Progressing to advanced disease is one of many pivotal concerns among patients with prostate cancer, their family, caregivers, and physicians,” she said. “This adds to numerous other health benefits associated with consuming a primarily plant-based diet, such as a reduction in diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and overall mortality.”

The evidence of a plant-based diet on men’s health cannot be overestimated. As such, one of the biggest concern for men is prostate cancer and a diet is strongly linked to the disease development and progression, as well as its recovery.

The study was published in JAMA Network Open.

VN Liu et al. Plant-based diets and disease progression in men with prostate cancer. JAMA Network Open (2024). doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.9053