Why a daily glass of milk really could reduce bowel cancer risk—an oncologist explains (17% risk reduction)

Medical Xpress / The Conversation / Oxford University / Cancer Research UK ^ | Jan. 19, 2025 | Justin Stebbing / Keren Papier et al

[ConservativeMind]

A glass of milk a day could help keep bowel cancer away finds a study. The research suggests that increasing daily milk intake by as little as one glass could have a significant impact on lowering the likelihood of developing bowel cancer.

The study found that drinking an additional 20g of alcohol a day, equivalent to a large glass of wine, increased bowel cancer risk by 15%. Consuming more than 30g of red and processed meat daily was linked to an 8% increase in bowel cancer risk.

Researchers took a two-pronged approach to examine the association between milk consumption and bowel cancer risk. First, they analyzed genetic data from over 542,000 women and focused on the ability to digest lactose in adulthood.

Second, the team collected detailed dietary information from participants, including their daily milk intake.

The analysis revealed that participants who consumed an additional 244g of milk per day—roughly equivalent to one large glass containing 300mg of calcium—had a 17% lower risk of developing bowel cancer. This reduction in risk applied to various types of milk, including whole, semi-skimmed and skimmed.

Researchers found that the protective effect of milk consumption was independent of other dietary factors and lifestyle habits.

The researchers propose several potential explanations. First, milk is a rich source of calcium, which has been linked to a reduced risk of bowel cancer. Calcium may help protect against cancer by binding to potentially harmful substances in the gut and promoting the death of abnormal cells.

Next, milk products are fortified with vitamin D, which has anti-cancer properties. Also, the lactose in milk can promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria that produce butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. Finally, milk contains conjugated linoleic acid, a fatty acid, which could also have anti-cancer properties.

[telescope115]

I like my milk with cereal in the morning. It’s lactose free for me. I love it whole fat, but I’ll drink 2%. None of that fat free stuff for me. Aldi’s, for a reasonable price.

I’m due for my yearly colonoscopy, just waiting for the clinic to tell me when I can schedule it. I’m in a high risk for colon cancer too.

I wish I could drink regular lactose milk, but I’m lactose intolerant.

[Fiji Hill]

But drinking milk is racist, as is eating watermelons and chicken with waffles.