A recent UK study has discovered that people with significant quantities of calcium in their diet have substantially reduced their chances of contracting bowel cancer. A quarter liter of milk each day could lead to these benefits, according to researchers who looked over the diets of more than half a million women for sixteen years and discovered that dark leafy greens, bread, and non-dairy milks high in calcium have the same protective effect. It is also established that more evidence supports the theory that excessive alcohol and processed meats have the opposite effect, resulting in an increase in the disease’s incidence.
Cancer charities support the notion that the best way to prevent bowel cancer is to maintain a healthy, balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, and quit smoking. A recent report found that dairy products “probably” reduce the risk of colorectal (bowel) cancer. This study, conducted by Oxford University and Cancer Research UK, indicates that calcium from dairy or non-dairy foods is responsible for the decrease in risk. The lead researcher from Oxford, Dr. Keren Papier, stated, “It highlights the potential protective role of dairy, largely due to calcium, in the development of bowel cancer.”
Breakfast cereal, fruit, wholegrains, carbohydrates, fibre, and vitamin C have also been linked with a slight reduction in the risk of cancer. Although it is already well-known that eating an excessive amount of processed meat and red meat probably raises the risk of bowel cancer, so does alcohol. Drinking an additional large glass of wine per day or 0.7 oz (20g) of alcohol increases your risk by 15%, while consuming 1 oz more red and processed meat per day raises your risk by 8%.
Calcium is an essential mineral for strengthening bones and keeping teeth healthy, with increasing evidence indicating that it also protects against certain cancers. Milk, yoghurt, and cheese contain a lot of calcium, making dairy products one of the UK’s primary dietary sources. It is also present in other foods, including soya and rice drinks, white bread, nuts, seeds, dried figs, curly kale, canned sardines, and lactose-free milk. The study discovered that calcium can safeguard against bowel cancer “because it is capable of binding to bile acids and free fatty acids in the colon, lowering their potentially carcinogenic effects.”
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with an estimated 44,000 cases per year. While the majority of cases are seen in older people, rates of the disease are increasing in younger adults, with poor diet and obesity potentially contributing factors. Symptoms of bowel cancer include changes in bowel habits, such as looser poo, pooing more frequently or constipation, blood in the stool or bleeding from the bottom, unintended weight loss, tiredness, or breathlessness. It is recommended to consult with a physician if any of these symptoms occur
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