Drinking Alcohol Daily Reduces Risk of Prostate Enlargement

About half of men 50 years of age suffer from benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), a condition that causes frequent and often painful urination. The proportion of sufferers increases to about 80% at age 70.

Men who consume two or more alcoholic drinks per day are 33% less likely to develop BPH than are teetotalers or alcohol abstainers.

Those who consume at least four servings of vegetables per day also enjoy reduced risk of developing BPH. However, eating red meat daily increases the risk, as does consuming high levels of fat. Dietary supplements have no effect on BPH risk.

A diet including alcohol and vegetables with less red meat and fat can also reduce the risk of obesity and heart disease, according to the researchers.