The US National Institutes of Health: AARP Diet and Health Study of nearly half a million people has found that those older men and women who consume large amounts of dairy foods and calcium are at reduced risk of developing digestive cancers, especially colorectal cancer.

The findings have reignited a long-simmering debate over calcium’s potential to fight colon cancer. Furthermore, high calcium intake was also associated with a reduced overall cancer risk for women. Previous studies into the link have produced mixed results.

The latest report, an observational study whereby researchers reviewed dietary profiles for possible links to cancer, was published in The Archives of Internal Medicine. Such studies are not considered to have the same reliability as randomised, controlled trials comparing treatment in one group with a placebo in a similar group. However, Dr Yikyung Park, cancer epidemiologist, National Cancer Institute, comments: