Which dietary modification is advised for BPH management?

• A. Increase caffeine and alcohol
• B. Reduce coffee, chocolate, alcohol, antihistamines, cold/flu medicines
• C. Increase spicy foods
• D. Avoid all fluids after 6 pm

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that substances which irritate the bladder or tighten the urinary outlet can worsen BPH symptoms, so reducing those triggers can help ease symptoms. Cutting back on caffeine-containing items like coffee and chocolate and on alcohol lowers bladder irritation and urine production, which tends to reduce urgency, frequency, and nighttime trips to the bathroom. Many over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines include antihistamines or decongestants; these can worsen BPH by having anticholinergic effects that make it harder to void or by stimulating the bladder neck, increasing outlet resistance. By decreasing these substances, urinary flow can improve and symptoms become more manageable. Other choices don’t consistently help and some can even worsen symptoms or are not practical long-term strategies.