Drinking a Glass of Milk a Day Could Reduce Bowel Cancer Risk by 17%

Strategic Insights -

Recent research by Oxford University and Cancer Research UK suggests that consuming an additional glass of milk a day could significantly reduce the risk of bowel cancer. The study found that drinking an extra 244g of milk, roughly one large glass, lowered the risk of developing bowel cancer by 17%. This reduction applied to whole, semi-skimmed, and skimmed milk. Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with cases increasing rapidly among younger people. A healthier lifestyle could prevent up to 54% of all bowel cancers, according to Cancer Research UK.

Key Takeaways:

  • Consuming an additional 244g of milk per day, roughly one large glass, could reduce the risk of bowel cancer by 17%.
  • The reduction in risk applied to whole, semi-skimmed, and skimmed milk.
  • Drinking an extra 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.
  • Professor Justin Stebbing, a biomedical scientist, advises patients about the influence of diet and lifestyle on health, including cancer risk.
  • The study's findings highlight the potential for simple dietary changes to have a significant impact on cancer risk.
  • Milk contains calcium, vitamin D, and conjugated linoleic acid, which may contribute to its potential anti-cancer properties.
  • The researchers found that the protective effect of milk consumption was independent of other dietary factors and lifestyle habits.

Statistics:

  • Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK (Cancer Research UK).
  • Cases of bowel cancer are increasing rapidly among younger people (Cancer Research UK).
  • Up to 54% of all bowel cancers could be prevented with a healthier lifestyle (Cancer Research UK).
  • Drinking an additional 20g of alcohol a day increases bowel cancer risk by 15% (study).
  • Consuming more than 30g of red and processed meat daily increases bowel cancer risk by 8% (study).
  • Drinking an extra 244g of milk per day reduces bowel cancer risk by 17% (study).

Sources:

  • Oxford University and Cancer Research UK study (no specific publication date mentioned)
  • Cancer Research UK (exact same phrase as in the original text: 'Bowels cancers could be prevented by a healthier lifestyle')
  • Professor Justin Stebbing, as quoted in The Conversation ( exact same quote and context as in the original text)
  • Oxford University and Cancer Research UK study (no specific publication date mentioned)
  • Laboratory study on conjugated linoleic acid (2021)