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Consuming Calcium-Rich Foods Reduces Risk Of Bowel Cancer
According to a recent study published by the University of Oxford and funded by Cancer Research U.K., it has been found that consuming calcium-rich foods can significantly reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer. This groundbreaking research highlights the potential protective role of calcium in the development of this disease.
The study, which involved over half a million women over 16 years, showed that those who consumed a diet rich in calcium were less likely to be diagnosed with bowel cancer compared to those with lower intakes. In fact, for every additional 300mg of calcium consumed daily, the risk of developing bowel cancer decreased by 17%. This is equivalent to the amount found in a glass of dairy milk.
In addition to dairy products such as milk, yoghurt and cheese, which are well-known sources of calcium, green leafy vegetables and plant-based milks like soy can also provide essential amounts. The findings suggest that including these foods in your diet could have a substantial impact on one’s cancer risk.
Furthermore, the researchers believe that the results may not be limited to women and younger individuals may also benefit from this dietary change. In fact, the study’s lead researcher noted that “we’ve got some idea of why calcium has this effect,” explaining that it may protect against bowel cancer by binding to bile acids and free fatty acids to form a harmless ‘soap,’ which prevents them from causing harm to the lining of the gut.
On the other hand, consuming significant amounts of red meat, particularly processed red meat, is well-documented to increase the risk of developing bowel cancer. A recent study involving over 30,000 individuals with bowel cancer found that those who consumed high levels of red meat could potentially increase their bowel cancer risk by as much as 40%.
While it’s crucial to note that studies correlating specific diet components to disease development can be challenging to make firm conclusions from due to the complexity of factors involved, the sheer size of this study’s participant pool means that the discovered links are likely accurate.
In light of rising global cases of bowel cancer, including an alarming increase in young people, researchers are unsure as to why this is occurring. Regular screening is still recommended for individuals over 45 years old, and those diagnosed earlier have a higher chance of achieving a more positive outcome.
Source: www.forbes.com
