When the researchers considered only cancers of the digestive tract, both dairy food and calcium intakes in both men and women were associated with reduced risks.

Dietary fiber has different functions in our body; it would benefit overweight people as it gives the sense of satiety, and in turn lower their food intakes.

However, no association between calcium and dairy food intakes were observed for prostate, breast or any cancer in another anatomical system besides the digestive system, they added.