One reader has brought to our attention two unrelated reports that, together, might suggest that dairy in our diet blocks antioxidants, one of the body’s natural cancer-fighters.
The first study, from Glasgow University and the National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research in Italy, explored the effects that different types of chocolate had on antioxidant levels. They found that the proteins in dairy products formed bonds with the antioxidants and so the body was unable to absorb them. This occurred with antioxidants from any source, be it fresh fruit or vegetables.
The second report came from the World Health Organization, which discovered a link between cancer and dairy-product consumption, so the higher the consumption, the greater the prevalence of the disease. This phenomenon was particularly noticeable in China where, over the last few decades, dairy consumption has become a more essential part of the diet.