Dairy products

Caution

2 studies · 1 recommendation

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Caution2 studies

High dairy and milk protein intake linked to increased prostate cancer risk

Two studies examining over 114,000 participants point to a positive association between dairy consumption and prostate cancer risk. A prospective cohort analysis from the UK Biobank found men in the highest quartile of dairy and milk protein intake had a borderline increased prostate cancer risk compared to those in the lowest quartile. While dairy protein elevated circulating IGF-I levels, this pathway did not fully explain the association, implicating other biological mechanisms. A systematic review covering literature from 1990 to 2013 independently identified milk as a dietary factor that increases prostate cancer risk, grouping it alongside red meat and dietary fat as components to minimize. Both studies acknowledge confounding factors and call for well-designed randomized controlled trials to strengthen causal conclusions.

Evidence

Diet, metabolic mediators, and cancer risk

Authors: Watling, Cody

Published: July 13, 2023

In a prospective analysis of approximately 114,000 UK Biobank participants, a borderline positive association was observed for prostate cancer risk among men in the highest quartile of dairy protein and milk protein intake compared to those in the lowest quartile. Although dairy protein intake was positively associated with circulating IGF-I concentrations (assessed in 438,453 participants), IGF-I did not appear to explain the dairy-prostate cancer association, suggesting other mechanisms may be involved.

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Prostate cancer and the influence of dietary factors and supplements: a systematic review

Authors: Mandair, D, Rossi, R, Pericleous, M, Whyand, T, Caplin, M

Published: January 1, 2007

A systematic review of PubMed literature from 1990 to 2013 examining dietary factors and prostate cancer identified milk intake as a factor that appears to increase prostate cancer risk. The review covered studies using keywords related to diet, nutrition, epidemiology, prevention, and progression of prostate cancer. Milk was specifically listed alongside red meat and dietary fat as dietary components that should be minimized based on the available evidence, though the authors acknowledged that more carefully designed randomized controlled trials are required due to confounding factors.

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