April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, and here at Just For Tummies, we’re always eager to share the latest research to help you make more informed choices about your health. This month, we’re highlighting a fascinating new study that reveals how something as simple as adding an extra glass of milk to your diet could help reduce your risk of bowel cancer.
The research: calcium’s protective power
A new study in Nature Communications, has revealed some compelling findings: regular dairy consumption – particularly milk – may significantly reduce the risk of bowel cancer. The study suggests that calcium plays a key role in protecting the cells in the bowel, helping to reduce the chances of harmful changes that can lead to cancer. Even a modest increase in dairy consumption, such as one extra glass of milk per day, was linked to a noticeable reduction in risk.
A brief overview of the study
The large-scale study followed 542,778 women in the UK over 16.6 years, during which 12,251 cases of bowel cancer were diagnosed. Researchers analysed the impact of 97 different dietary factors on bowel cancer risk.
- They found that higher calcium intake – particularly from dairy products – was strongly linked to a reduced risk.
- Specifically, for every 300 mg of calcium consumed daily (roughly the amount in a glass of milk), the risk of developing bowel cancer dropped by 17%.
- The study concluded that the protective effect of dairy is largely due to its calcium content, which helps prevent harmful cellular changes in the bowel.
Read the full study here.
This is encouraging news, especially when we consider how easy it can be to add a bit more dairy to our diets – whether it’s through milk, cheese, or yogurt.
Dairy – it doesn’t deserve a bad rap
Dairy has had its fair share of criticism over the years – from concerns about fat content to digestive issues. But if you tolerate dairy well, it can be a nutritional powerhouse. In fact, opting for full-fat dairy is often a smarter, healthier choice than low-fat alternatives.
Here’s why:
- Full-fat dairy is less processed, retaining more of its natural nutrients and fat-soluble vitamins (like A, D, E, and K), which are vital for gut health, immune support, and nutrient absorption.
- Low-fat dairy, on the other hand, often has added sugar or stabilisers to compensate for the lost creaminess – not ideal for gut health or overall wellbeing.
Why we choose full-fat, organic dairy
Here at Just For Tummies, we are firm believers in full-fat, organic dairy – and for good reason. We choose:
- Full-fat organic milk from Jersey cows – known for its higher levels of calcium, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids, making it a richer and more nourishing option.
- Organic cream – rich in healthy fats and fat-soluble vitamins. Also contains calcium and phosphorous, crucial for gut health. Fermented creams like sour cream and crème fraiche contain natural probiotics which can promote a healthy gut microbiome.
- Grass-fed butter – a healthier, creamier alternative that contains more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and omega-3s, both linked to anti-inflammatory benefits and better heart health.
- Full-fat yogurt – packed with natural probiotics and healthy fats, which can aid digestion and promote a balanced gut microbiome.
If your body tolerates dairy well, it could be worth making it a regular part of your diet – especially as a way to help reduce your risk of bowel cancer. Choose organic, full-fat options whenever possible to benefit from their natural nutrients and gut-friendly properties.
Here’s to making small but powerful changes for better health! If you have any questions about a digestive, gut or women’s health issue, please get in touch.
