Calcium is known to have a number of health benefits, including its ability to make our bones stronger and keeping our teeth healthy.
However, expert research has shown that the nutrient can also help reduce our risk of developing bowel cancer as well as potentially helping to lower blood pressure.
Where can we find calcium?
While calcium can be found in a number of food and drinks, the British Heart Foundation pinpointed two particularly healthy sources of the vital nutrient: “Milk and dairy foods as part of a healthy, balanced diet could help with lowering blood pressure. Dairy products contain a complex combination of nutrients, including calcium which has been linked to blood pressure reduction.”
Another vital source of calcium are leafy greens that include a variety of vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and okra.
Lowering blood pressure
The British Heart Foundation aren’t the only ones to highlight the importance of consuming dairy products, as a study carried out by Tufts University revealed that calcium rich yoghurt can also have a dramatic affect on lowering blood pressure.
In a summary of their findings, they laid bare the impact eating yoghurt can have on our blood pressure: “Eating yogurt-even just a couple of times a week-might substantially reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure. New Tufts research reports that people who consumed least 2% of their daily calories from yogurt were 31% less likely to develop hypertension (also referred to as blood pressure) over a 14-year followup period. “
According to the NHS, those suffering with high blood pressure are at an increased risk of developing serious health conditions including heart attacks and strokes. While age, ethnicity and having close relatives with the condition can increase someone’s chances of having high blood pressure, a number of lifestyle choices including smoking and drinking too much alcohol can also increase the chances of increasing blood pressure.
Reducing chances of bowel cancer
In a recent study, carried out by researches at the Oxford Population Health’s Cancer Epidemiology Unit, it was found that consuming an additional 300mg of calcium a day is linked with a 17% decrease in the the risk of developing bowel cancer.
Explaining their findings in further detail, they explained: “The findings showed that foods and drinks rich in calcium such as milk and yoghurt were associated with a lower risk of a bowel cancer diagnosis. Calcium was found to have a similar effect in both dairy and non-dairy sources, suggesting that it was the main factor responsible for cutting risk.”
Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancers in the UK and can be found anywhere in the large bowel, which includes the colon and rectum. Some of those reportedly most at risk to develop the condition are those aged over 50, smokers and people who are overweight.