Those who drank a cup of milk 2 to 6 days a week were 13 percent less prone to breast cancer. (image: Pixabay)
SEOUL, Jan. 10 (Korea Bizwire) — A recent study has shown that drinking a cup of milk each day reduces the risk of breast cancer for women under 50 years of age.
A research team from Seoul National University College of Medicine conducted a cohort study using big data records from 93,306 women between 40 and 69 years of age who received a comprehensive health check at 38 hospitals nationwide between 2004 and 2013.
The team, using national data on cancer patients, identified and tracked patients with breast cancer for an average span of 6.3 years.
Variables such as fertility, the age of first birth and menstrual period, and other social demographic variables were taken into consideration.
The results showed that women under the age of 50 drinking 200ml of milk each day (6,261 people) were 42 percent less likely to suffer from breast cancer than those who drank less than one cup of milk each week (12,464 people).
Those who drank a cup of milk 2 to 6 days a week (5,792 people) were 13 percent less prone to breast cancer.
Among women in their 40s, in particular, drinking more milk proved to be more effective in lowering the risk of breast cancer, the team explained.
“The calcium in milk prevents breast cancer cells from reproducing, and vitamin D encourages cellular differentiation and apoptosis, reducing the risk of breast cancer,” said professor Kang Dae-hee from Seoul National University, who spearheaded the research project.
The study was published in the most recent edition of the journal Nutrients.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
