High-Fat Cheese Linked to Lower Dementia Risk

Quick Smiles:

• Swedish study links high-fat cheese and cream to reduced dementia risk
• People eating more high-fat cheese had a 29% lower risk of vascular dementia
• No association found with low-fat dairy or fermented milk products

Recent research from Sweden connects higher intake of high-fat cheese and cream with a lower likelihood of developing dementia. Among participants who ate at least 50 grams of high-fat cheese daily, there was a 13% lower risk of dementia and a 29% lower risk of vascular dementia.

People who consumed at least 20 grams of high-fat cream every day saw a 16% reduced risk of dementia compared to those who abstained.

No link was found for low-fat dairy, butter, milk, yogurt, kefir, or buttermilk in relation to dementia risk. The study followed 27,670 Swedish adults, averaging 58 years old at the outset, for 25 years.

Overall, 3,208 participants developed dementia during the study period. The researchers adjusted for age, sex, education, and diet quality to focus on dairy’s impact.

“For decades, the debate over high-fat versus low-fat diets has shaped health advice, sometimes even categorizing cheese as an unhealthy food to limit,” said Professor Emily Sonestedt of Lund University.

“Our study found that some high-fat dairy products may actually lower the risk of dementia, challenging some long-held assumptions about fat and brain health.”

A lower risk of Alzheimer’s was also found among people without the APOE e4 gene who ate more high-fat cheese. The findings only show association, not causation, and more research is needed to understand these effects.

The researchers highlighted the need for studies in other countries and noted that in Sweden, cheese is often enjoyed uncooked.

“These findings suggest that when it comes to brain health not all dairy is equal,” said Professor Sonestedt. “More research is needed to confirm our study results and further explore whether consuming certain high-fat dairy truly offers some level of protection for the brain.”

If you love cheese, this study may give you another reason to smile! Share this news with your fellow cheese fans and consider a cheese night soon.

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