A glass of milk of day helps slash the risk of deadly bowel cancer by 17 per cent – but only if you have half a pint. Cancer Research UK scientists say calcium appears to protect the gut – and a glass of milk a day could massively help people stave off the deadly illness.
Each daily 300mg of calcium, about the amount found in half a pint of milk, was associated with a 17 per cent lower risk of bowel cancer, researchers said, with non-dairy sources of calcium such as fortified soy milk having a similar protective effect.
“This comprehensive study provides robust evidence that dairy products may help prevent colorectal cancer, largely due to the calcium they contain,” said Dr Keren Papier, the first author of the study and a senior nutritional epidemiologist at the University of Oxford.
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“Calcium was found to have a similar effect in both dairy and non-dairy sources, suggesting that it was the main factor responsible for cutting risk,” she added. Sophia Lowes, from Cancer Research UK, said: “Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting people in the UK so it is vital that we know how to prevent it.
“Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet, alongside keeping a healthy weight and stopping smoking, is one of the best ways to lower your risk of bowel cancer. This includes cutting down on alcohol and red and processed meat, and eating lots of fruit, vegetables, and wholegrains.
“Dairy products like milk can also be part of a diet which reduces bowel cancer risk. We look forward to further research, including into the effects of specific ingredients like calcium, to ensure fewer people are impacted by this devastating disease.”
The data showed a glass of wine per day above average increased risk by 15 per cent, while every extra 30g of red or processed meat increased it by eight per cent.