Background:Nutrients with antioxidant properties or that influence cell growth and differentiation might reduce the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Objective:The objective was to evaluate the association of fruit, vegetable, and micronutrient intakes with BPH.Design:The participants were members of the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study and were aged 46–81 y in 1992. In 1992 and biennially thereafter, the men reported having surgery for an enlarged prostate, and in 1992 and on 3 subsequent questionnaires they completed the American Urological Association symptom index (AUASI). BPH cases were men who reported having surgery or who had an AUASI score of 15–35 (n= 6092). Control subjects were men who had not had surgery and never had an AUASI score >7 (n= 18 373). Men with a score of 8–14 were excluded (n= 7800). Intakes of fruit, vegetables, and antioxidants were assessed with a food-frequency questionnaire in 1986. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) of BPH and 95% CIs using logistic regression.Results:Vegetable consumption was inversely associated with BPH (fifth compared with first quintile—OR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.80, 0.99; Pfor trend = 0.03), whereas fruit intake was not. Consumption of fruit and vegetables rich in β-carotene (Pfor trend = 0.004), lutein (Pfor trend = 0.0004), or vitamin C (Pfor trend = 0.05) was inversely related to BPH. With increasing vitamin C intake from foods, men were less likely to have BPH (Pfor trend = 0.0009). Neither α- nor γ-tocopherol intake from foods was associated with BPH (Pfor trend = 0.05 and 0.84, respectively).Conclusion:Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that a diet rich in vegetables may reduce the occurrence of BPH.