A study published in Nature Communications highlights how boosting calcium intake can lower colorectal cancer risk. This research examined dietary data from over 542,000 women in the Million Women Study, noting their medical histories over 16 years. It found that an additional 300 milligrams of calcium per day, approximately the amount in a glass of milk, correlates with a 17% reduction in risk.
Moreover, the study confirms the link between alcohol, red, and processed meats with increased colorectal cancer risk. For instance, an extra 20 grams of alcohol daily, roughly equating to a large glass of wine, increases risk by 15%. Similarly, an additional 30 grams of red or processed meat each day raises it by 8%.
Experts stress the importance of a healthy lifestyle. This includes more calcium intake and reducing alcohol and processed meats to potentially lower colorectal cancer risk. For those avoiding dairy, alternatives like leafy greens, fortified plant-based milks, and tofu are good sources of calcium. Future research should explore the broader health effects of increased calcium intake across different populations.
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