Consuming an additional serving to potentially reduce the risk of colorectal cancer
Milk Consumption Linked to Lower Colorectal Cancer Risk, Study Suggests
Milk, long touted for its nutritional benefits, could offer an additional advantage: a possible reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer. According to a study led by researchers at the University of Oxford, consuming calcium, particularly from dairy products such as milk, may be associated with a lower risk of this prevalent form of cancer.
The research, which spanned an average of 16 years and analyzed the eating habits of over 500,000 women, found that daily consumption of an additional 300 mg of calcium, the equivalent of a large glass of milk, could decrease colorectal cancer risk by 17 percent. This association held true regardless of whether the calcium came from dairy or non-dairy sources, such as dark leafy greens.
The study's lead researcher, Dr. Keren Papier, suggested that calcium might protect against colorectal cancer by forming a 'soap-like' substance with bile acids and fatty acids in the gut, thereby preventing harm to the gut lining. The study noted that most women in their sample were consuming over 700 mg of calcium daily.
While the findings are promising, more research is needed to determine whether calcium supplements and calcium-fortified foods have the same effect in reducing colorectal cancer risk as natural sources of calcium.
In contrast, the study also found a link between alcohol consumption and an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Consuming an additional 20 grams of alcohol, the equivalent of a large glass of wine, was associated with a 15 percent increased risk.
Incorporating dairy products into a balanced diet may provide a reduced risk of colorectal cancer, although more research is required to fully understand the role of calcium in cancer prevention. As always, seeking advice from a healthcare professional before making dietary changes is important.
It is worth noting that a previous German study, published in 2012, found an unexpected link between calcium supplements and an increased risk of heart disease in women. Among 24,000 participants, women exclusively using calcium supplements to meet their daily calcium needs doubled their risk for a heart attack.
Sources:1. Bowel cancer risk could be reduced with an extra glass of milk - Cancer Research UK2. Diet-wide analyses for risk of colorectal cancer: prospective study of 12,251 incident cases among 542,778 women in the UK - Nature Communications3. Vitamin D and Your Bones - New York State Department of Health4. How much calcium do you really need? - Harvard Health Publishing5. Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2023-2025 - American Cancer Society
- Incorporating heart health, such as consumption of dairy products like milk, into a well-rounded diet may lower the risk of colorectal cancer as suggested by a study.
- More research is needed to ascertain if supplements or calcium-fortified foods, in comparison to natural sources, have a similar effect on colorectal cancer risk reduction.
- Science has shown that calcium may potentially protect against chronic diseases like colorectal cancer, although the precise mechanisms are still subject to further study.
- Some medical-conditions, such as heart health, might be negatively impacted by calcium supplements, as evidenced by a previous study revealing an increased risk of heart disease in women exclusively using calcium supplements.
