How Much Water You Should Drink For A Healthy Prostate
Hydration is essential to all bodily functions, and the prostate is no exception. In order for this chestnut-shaped organ to do its job, we need to supply it with plenty of water. As a male reproductive organ, the prostate supports semen production, ejaculation, and the metabolizing of sex hormones (via InformedHealth.org). While we want to ensure we're getting adequate amounts of H2O, we don't want to overdo it, either. Here's how each of us can find the balance that's right for us.
It's recommended that the average person consume between eight and ten 8-ounce cups of water daily (via DOCTO). However, these suggested amounts can vary from person to person. Rather than getting hung up on the exact measurements, keep an eye on the color of your urine throughout the day to give you a good read on whether you should be upping your water intake. The clearer your pee is, the better. Instead of yellow, colorless pee is a good indicator of adequate hydration.
Factors that influence how much water we should drink daily
Eight to ten cups of water each day is sufficient to keep the prostate happy and healthy. Some individuals may need to boost their fluid intake, however, depending on different factors. Experts at UCI Urology point out that body size is one such factor that may influence this equation. This sentiment was echoed by preventive medicine specialist Dr. Roxanne B. Sukol, who told the Cleveland Clinic, "Your size, metabolism, location, diet, physical activity and health all factor into how much water you need."
The timing of one's water intake can be of particular importance to those diagnosed with an enlarged prostate. Medically referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the noncancerous condition mostly affects men over the age of 50, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Among other symptoms, those with BPH often experience urinary tract infections (UTI) and/or nocturia. Keeping the body adequately hydrated can help keep UTIs at bay, but too much water can exacerbate nighttime urination. For this reason, the Midwest Institute for Non-Surgical Therapy (MINT) suggests people with BPH consume eight or more glasses of water daily, but to slow their intake during evening hours and cut off all water intake completely about two to three hours prior to sleep.
The type of water that may best support a healthy prostate
People with an enlarged prostate will also want to be mindful of what kind of water they're drinking. Still water is the way to go, since sparkling water or flavored water won't offer the prostate these same health benefits, explain experts at A.Vogel. However, some researchers have called for further investigation into the levels of nitrates permitted in tap water and bottled water sources. Findings of a 2023 study in Spain published in Environmental Health Perspectives found a potential link between prostate cancer and lifetime consumption of drinking water containing nitrates. While nitrate-containing drinking water could not definitively be deemed the cause of cancerous growth, the researchers also found that a diet rich in fiber, vegetables, fruits, and vitamin C appears to counteract the potentially cancerous effects of nitrates in drinking water. Want to know more? Learn about the potential benefits and risks of nitrates in food.
Like diet, other lifestyle habits can also make a difference in a person's prostate health. In addition to drinking plenty of water, keeping red meat and salt intake to a minimum, prioritizing exercise, and implementing stress management techniques during day-to-day life can all support a healthy prostate.