Children who drink school milk are 40 percent less likely to suffer bowel cancer as adults, according to new research.
Scientists found that half a pint of milk a day had a powerful protective effect against the cancer, which kills 16,000 people each year in the UK.
The key to its anti-cancer effects lies in daily consumption over long periods.
Researchers are calling for it to be used as an effective way of reducing disease rates.
Associate Professor Brian Cox, who led the research published last week in the American Journal of Epidemiology, said: “Our results suggest daily consumption of milk in childhood may reduce bowel cancer incidence, possibly by the action of calcium.”
Experts believe calcium helps kill off cancer cells and accumulating a supply in the system can help to ward off the disease.
The team discovered pupils were 40 per cent less likely to suffer a tumour later in life if they had milk every day for six years or more.
Scientists found that half a pint of milk a day had a powerful protective effect against the cancer.
The findings support previous evidence from the World Cancer Research Fund that milk protects against cancer.
They also come at a time when there is continuing controversy over the future of school milk in UK. Under the Nursery Milk Scheme, up to a third of a pint of free milk a day is provided to children under five. But primary schools have not received free milk since 1971. Margaret Thatcher, then education secretary, ditched the scheme.
Last August, David Cameron intervened to overrule coalition plans to ditch the £50million a year Nursery Milk Scheme. Campaigners said the research, carried out in New Zealand, highlighted the benefits of school milk.
Dr Judith Bryans, director of the Dairy Council, said: “School milk is hugely important because it ensures children have an adequate supply of nutrients. One glass of milk has the same amount of calcium as a kilogram of spinach.”
However, a spokeswoman for Cancer Research UK said: “The best ways to reduce bowel cancer risk are to keep a healthy weight, drink less alcohol and be physically active.”
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