Daily Glass of Milk Linked to Reduced Bowel Cancer Risk, Study Finds
“This study offers compelling evidence that dairy products can play a role in preventing bowel cancer, thanks largely to their calcium content,” explained Dr. Keren Papier, senior nutritional epidemiologist at the University of Oxford and the study’s lead author. “The data show calcium as the key factor, regardless of whether it comes from dairy or non-dairy sources.”
Bowel Cancer: A Growing Concern
Bowel cancer ranks as the third most common cancer worldwide, with nearly 2 million cases and 1 million deaths annually. These figures are expected to rise significantly, with new cases predicted to reach 3.2 million and deaths increasing to 1.6 million by 2040, primarily in high-income countries. Alarmingly, the disease is also on the rise among younger individuals. In the UK, cases among adults aged 25 to 49 increased by 22% between the early 1990s and 2018.
Despite these trends, more than half of bowel cancer cases are considered preventable. Lifestyle and dietary changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating a fiber-rich diet, reducing alcohol consumption, staying physically active, and avoiding smoking, can significantly lower the risk. Notably, a fifth of all cases are linked to excessive consumption of red or processed meat.
Study Highlights Role of Calcium and Diet
Dr. Papier and her team analyzed dietary data from over 540,000 postmenopausal women over 17 years, examining the effects of 97 different foods, drinks, and nutrients on bowel cancer risk. The study confirmed that calcium has a protective role, while alcohol and red or processed meat increase the risk. Specifically, consuming 20g of alcohol daily (equivalent to a large glass of wine) raised the risk by 15%, and eating 30g of red or processed meat daily increased it by 8%.
Although the research focused on postmenopausal women, the findings are expected to apply to men and younger individuals. “Calcium appears to reduce cancer risk by binding to bile acids and free fatty acids in the colon, neutralizing their cancer-causing effects,” said Dr. Papier. The study was published in Nature Communications.
Expert Perspectives
Sophia Lowes, from Cancer Research UK, emphasized the importance of a healthy lifestyle in reducing cancer risk. “Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, making prevention efforts critical,” she said. “A balanced diet, along with maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding smoking, can significantly lower your risk. This includes limiting alcohol and red or processed meat while increasing fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. Dairy products, such as milk, can also contribute to a protective diet.”
Lowes also expressed hope for further research into the role of specific
ingredients like calcium in preventing bowel cancer. “Understanding these
effects can help reduce the impact of this devastating disease.”
No Comment to " Daily Glass of Milk Linked to Reduced Bowel Cancer Risk, Study Finds "