Three cheers for calcium.

Mom always told you to drink your milk. Nag, nag, nag. She thought she knew everything and you weren’t falling for it. But you know what? She was right. She just didn’t understand the half of it yet.

Calcium keeps your bones strong—that part Mom knew—but what she didn’t know then is that it may also prevent cancer. A study at the Creighton University in Nebraska found that women who took 1,400 to 1,500 mg of calcium along with 1,100 IU of vitamin D had 60% fewer cancers diagnosed during the four years of the study.

And if you or someone you know suffers from nasty premenstrual symptoms, check this out: Studies have found that a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D (or equivalent supplementation) can help ease or prevent the symptoms of PMS.

A round of milk for everyone.