Nutraceutical: cultured milk

Nutraceuticals World, Dec, 2008

Nutraceutical: Cultured milk

Indication: Bladder cancer

Source: Am J Clin Nutr, October 2008; 88(4):1083-7.

Research: Findings from epidemiologic studies of the effect of dairy foods (mainly milk) on the risk of bladder cancer have been inconsistent, so researchers examined the association between the intake of cultured milk and other dairy foods and the incidence of bladder cancer in a prospective, population-based cohort. They prospectively followed 82,002 Swedish women and men who were cancer-free and completed a 96-item food-frequency questionnaire in 1997. Incident cases of bladder cancer were identified in the Swedish cancer registries.

Results: During a mean follow-up of 9.4 years, 485 participants (76 women and 409 men) were diagnosed with bladder cancer. Total dairy intake was not significantly associated with risk of bladder cancer. However, a statistically significant inverse association was observed for the intake of cultured milk (sour milk and yogurt). The intake of milk or cheese was not associated with bladder cancer risk. According to researchers, these findings suggest that a high intake of cultured milk may lower the risk of developing bladder cancer.