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Daily glass of milk may cut bowel cancer risk by fifth, research finds

www.theguardian.com Daily glass of milk may cut bowel cancer risk by fifth, research finds

Largest study into diet and disease suggests extra 300mg of calcium a day is associated with a 17% lower risk

Daily glass of milk may cut bowel cancer risk by fifth, research finds

Summary

A study of over 540,000 women found that an additional 300mg of calcium daily—equivalent to half a pint of milk—reduces bowel cancer risk by 17%.

Both dairy and non-dairy calcium sources, like fortified soy milk, offer protective effects.

Bowel cancer, the third most common cancer globally, affects nearly 2 million annually and is rising among younger adults.

Risk factors include red/processed meat and alcohol, while prevention focuses on diet, exercise, and avoiding smoking.

Published in Nature Communications, the study highlights calcium's role in reducing cancer-causing bile acids in the colon.

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