Green tea for BPH: Does it work?

Polyphenols are the active ingredients in green tea that may be responsible for helping manage benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH.

Polyphenols are chemical compounds found in a category called phytochemicals, which occur naturally in plants.

Various studies have shown that the prostate absorbs polyphenols more easily than other tissues in the body. This suggests that the prostate should be receptive to polyphenols when used in the management of BPH.

Why manage BPH with green tea?

Green tea has increased in popularity and is now the second most consumed beverage in the world.

As a beverage, green tea is an alternative to coffee and soft drinks, with the added health benefits from the polyphenol compounds present.

Polyphenols are plentiful in plant foods, and are:

  • antioxidants
  • anti-inflammatory
  • anti-carcinogenic

What are the active ingredients in green tea?

Green tea’s active ingredients include:

  • epigallocatechin (EGC)
  • gallic acid
  • chlorogenic acid
  • caffeic acid
  • other polyphenols

In recent animal trials and in vitro studies in laboratories, one particular polyphenol called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) appears to have promising results. EGCG reduced the over-production of cells and even prevented the onset of BPH.

What do the studies say?

It is worth noting that most studies into green tea have been done outside the human body, for example, in lab cultures or animals. These studies also use concentrated versions of polyphenols, not the green tea itself, or other whole foods.

Overall, specific polyphenols, some of which occur in green tea, have been found to treat the causes and symptoms of BPH. This suggests that green tea could assist in managing BPH alongside medications and other treatments.

If symptoms are not too bad people can implement a few lifestyle changes to manage BPH.

These include:

  • drinking less alcohol
  • checking medication
  • eating more fruit and fiber
  • trying urethral massage
  • using pads or sheaths during the day
  • double voiding the bladder
  • emptying the bladder often

Medication

There are two types of medications that have been found to be effective in treating BPH.

  • alpha-blockers
  • 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors

Other medications used may include:

  • anticholinergics
  • desmopressin
  • loop diuretic

Medications are only useful for treating BPH and do not prevent the condition. However, they also come with some side effects.

People may choose natural alternatives and lifestyle changes if the side effects of their medication are worse than their BPH symptoms.

Side effects include:

  • drop in blood pressure upon standing (postural hypertension)
  • diarrhea
  • headaches
  • nasal congestion
  • sexual dysfunction

Other sources of polyphenols

Polyphenols, in general, have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on the body. Many polyphenols have been used in animal and clinical trials to determine if these can help manage symptoms of BPH.

Specific foods can be incorporated into the diet to help manage BPH alongside medications. These foods are listed here followed by the active ingredient or ingredients they contain:

  • Green tea — EGC.
  • Flaxseeds and sesame seeds — secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, lignans, and enterolactone.
  • Fava beans and soybeans — genistein.
  • Soy and peanuts — biochanin.
  • Soya — equol and anthocyanins.
  • Tomatoes — lycopene.

People should be cautious about using concentrated versions of polyphenols as there is too little research on possible side effects. Also, they could affect other medications a person is taking or have other unwanted side effects.

It is best to try and obtain all your nutrients through whole foods when possible.

Other home remedies

Herbal remedies are another type of home treatment that could also assist in managing BPH.

Saw palmetto and red stinkwood have both been shown to help manage symptoms.

People should be cautious if using herbal remedies, however, as they may affect other medications.

Surgery

Surgery is a further option if other treatments for BPH have not helped to alleviate symptoms.

Many men find surgery effective, but it does not always alleviate symptoms immediately or to the desired level.

If someone experiences the symptoms of BPH, they should visit their doctor.

It is vital to establish what is causing these symptoms as some are common with prostate cancer. Also, it is possible to have BPH and prostate cancer at the same time.

A treatment plan should be discussed with a doctor before using home remedies or natural therapies.

Takeaway

Fortunately, living with BPH does not mean a person is more likely to get prostate cancer than someone without the condition. Improvements to diet, management with medication, and attempting to decrease risk factors, mean the outlook is good.

Adding green tea as a beverage to the diet could also be helpful in managing BPH, as well as chronic inflammation associated with metabolic disorder and obesity.

If adding green tea to the diet replaces soft drinks and other high-calorie beverages, there is the added benefit of reducing calories from foods that often have poor nutritional value.

Source: Read Full Article