Prostate cancer / Favorite drink increases risk by 25%

2023-10-05 08:04:00, Shëndeti CNA

Prostate cancer / Favorite drink increases risk by 25%

Illustrative photo

A drink that enters our daily lives from a very young age is emerging as one of the prostate's worst enemies.

Excessive consumption of dairy products, and milk in particular, increases the chances of prostate cancer, compared to moderate consumption, according to new research data. On the other hand, according to the study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, no correlation was found between the increased risk of prostate cancer and the intake of calcium that does not come from dairy products, which suggests that substances other than calcium play a role. an important role in the occurrence of cancer.

"Our findings reinforce other evidence that identifies dairy products as a risk factor for prostate cancer," said Gary Fraser, the study's principal investigator and a professor at Loma Linda University School of Public Health.

Specifically, men who consumed about 430 grams of dairy per day (1 ¾ cups of milk) had a 25% increased risk of developing prostate cancer, compared to men who consumed only 20.2 grams of milk per day. In addition, the increase was even greater in men with excessive consumption, compared to men with zero dairy consumption in their diet.

The research team analyzed data from about 28,000 Americans who were cancer-free at the start of the study and followed them for about eight years. Participants filled out questionnaires about their eating habits, as well as other personal information, such as family history of prostate cancer, physical activity, alcohol consumption. During those eight years, 1,254 new cases of prostate cancer were reported among the participants.

Dr. Fraser noted that the results differed slightly depending on whether the products were full-fat or low-fat, while no dangerous associations were observed with cheese and yogurt.

In addition, in their analysis they separated calcium intake from plant sources and from dairy products through a statistical model.

Another factor noted is that the increase in risk did not match the increase in consumption per 50 grams, that is, the risk did not increase particularly with the increase in consumption.

"Most of the continued increase in risk is gone by the time you get to 150 grams, or about two-thirds of a cup of milk a day," notes Dr. Fraser.

In addition, previous studies have linked the intake of milk and other animal proteins to higher blood levels of a hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), which is thought to promote certain types of cancer. , including the prostate.

However, Dr. Fraser believes further studies are needed to investigate how milk consumption may increase the risk of prostate cancer. He suggests that those with a family history of prostate cancer or other risk factors should be "cautious" about consuming milk. Finally, he notes that the study does not yet conclusively prove that milk causes prostate cancer./ CNA