New Zealand has one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world - but researchers from Otago have found increased consumption of dairy products could improve those grim statistics.

A multi-year study by a team from Otago University has found the nutrient-rich drink could help protect against bowel cancer.

Associate professor Brian Cox from Otago Medical School told Newshub milk, in particular, has a strong relationship with reduced risk.

Other dairy products like yoghurt showed similar benefits, provided there are at least three servings a week.

"It's not clear whether that's related to something else which is associated with the disease, or whether it's the primary reason for a reduced risk. So that still needs to be teased out," said Cox.

Natalie Reynolds was diagnosed with bowel cancer a week after her 26th birthday.

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Adding more milk or yoghurt to your diet could help reduce the risk of bowel cancer - Newshub