​The Delicate Relationship Between Tea And Prostate Health

Prostate health is a major concern in men. As a man ages, his prostate gland tends to become enlarged, causing pressure on parts of the urinary tract such as the urethra and bladder. As a result, he may experience urinary frequency combined with an inability to fully empty his bladder. A chronically enlarged prostate can also lead to incontinence, pain when urinating and infection.

In addition, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men. On a basic level, prostate cancer is caused by changes in the DNA of a normal prostate cell. DNA is the chemical in our cells that makes up our genes. DNA changes can either be inherited from a parent or can be acquired during a person’s lifetime. Most gene mutations related to prostate cancer seem to develop during a man’s life rather than having been inherited.

Every time a cell prepares to divide into two new cells, it must copy its DNA. This process is not perfect, and sometimes errors occur, leaving defective DNA in the new cell. It is unclear how often these DNA changes might be random events, and how often they are influenced by other factors (such as diet, hormone levels, etc.). In general, the more quickly prostate cells grow and divide, the more chances there are for mutations to occur. Therefore, anything that speeds up this process may make prostate cancer more likely.

There have been numerous research studies on how tea, especially green tea, affects the health of the prostate. There seem to be similar findings from those studies showing that tea can regulate the amount of androgens (male hormones), such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), in our bodies. Androgens promote prostate cell growth. Having high levels of androgens might contribute to prostate cancer risk in some men. Studies show that drinking tea lower androgen levels, which in turn slower the growth of the prostate. The prevention of prostate enlargement may protect men against prostate cancer and other health issues related to an enlarged prostate.

Drinking tea is a good habit that can help prevent and lower risk factors for prostate diseases. However, if you are already experiencing prostate troubles--though some studies claim that tea can slow the growth of aggressive prostate cancer--drinking caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea, soda or energy drinks may worsen your symptoms. Caffeine can irritate your prostate and your bladder. It also acts as a mild diuretic that increases urinary frequency. In addition, if you are prone to bacterial infections of the urinary system due to an inability to fully empty your bladder, you may experience pain due to infection. Caffeine can make this irritation and inflammation more uncomfortable.

It seems that tea has a delicate relationship with prostate health. Drinking tea can be very helpful in preventing prostate enlargement, and thus, preventing many prostate diseases and prostate cancer. Some studies even say that tea can slow the growth of aggressive prostate cancer. However, drinking tea when you are in the midst of prostate troubles may exacerbate your symptoms. It is important to know when and how much tea is suitable. Pay attention to your body and always consult your physicians or other qualified health care providers.

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