Calcium intake and colorectal cancer risk

Calcium intake is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer (CRC):

• a cohort study of 471 396 healthy adults with baseline age 50 to 71 years and more than 20 years of follow-up, showed an association between higher calcium intake and lower colorectal cancer risk was observed overall and by tumor site regardless of source of calcium
• the study authors concluded:
  • higher calcium intake was associated with lower CRC risk overall regardless of source of calcium or tumor site.
  • while calcium intake may vary by race and ethnicity, the potential for calcium to play a role in CRC prevention appeared to be consistent across racial and ethnic groups

Reference:

1. Zouiouich S, Wahl D, Liao LM, Hong HG, Sinha R, Loftfield E. Calcium Intake and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(2):e2460283.