High-Fat Cheese Linked to Lower Dementia Risk, Study Finds

Regular consumption of high-fat cheese and cream may reduce the risk of developing dementia, according to a study conducted by Swedish researchers. The study, which monitored the health and eating habits of over 27,000 middle-aged adults, suggests that individuals who included high-fat dairy in their diets were less likely to receive a dementia diagnosis.

The research indicated that participants who consumed approximately 20 grams of high-fat cream daily—equivalent to about one and a half tablespoons—had a 16 percent lower risk of dementia compared to those who did not consume any. Additionally, those who ate 50 grams of cheese each day saw their risk reduced by 13 percent relative to individuals consuming less than 15 grams per day.

Key Findings and Nutritional Insights

Certain nutrients found in cheese may enhance brain function, but researchers emphasize the need for further studies to validate these findings. While cheese is recognized for its high calcium and protein content, the NHS currently advises limiting consumption to about 30 grams per day, largely due to concerns regarding saturated fat and salt content.

Professor Emily Sonestedt, a nutrition and public health expert at Lund University and co-author of the study, remarked, “For decades, the debate over high-fat versus low-fat diets has shaped health advice, sometimes categorizing cheese as an unhealthy food to limit.” The study found that participants who regularly consumed high-fat cheese performed better in cognitive tests.

Over a follow-up period of 25 years, researchers noted that 3,207 individuals developed dementia. Those who consumed more high-fat cheese had a 29 percent lower risk of vascular dementia, the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s. Unlike Alzheimer’s, which is characterized by the buildup of specific proteins in the brain, vascular dementia results from reduced blood flow to brain cells.

The study also indicated that higher cheese consumption correlated with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease, particularly among individuals not carrying the APOE e4 gene variant, which is a known risk factor for the condition.

Expert Opinions and Considerations

Despite these promising findings, experts who were not involved in the research have advised caution. Professor Naveed Sattar, a cardiometabolic medicine expert at the University of Glasgow, expressed skepticism regarding the causal relationship between cheese consumption and dementia risk. He noted, “I do not believe there is a causal link here, as this is an observational study rather than a randomized controlled trial.”

Sattar pointed out that individuals consuming more high-fat cheese and cream tended to be better educated, which might indicate that other lifestyle factors associated with higher education could contribute to the observed lower dementia rates. He emphasized the importance of established risk reduction strategies, such as maintaining healthy blood pressure and managing weight.

Professor Tara Spires-Jones, Director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, also highlighted the need for a broader perspective on dementia prevention. “Strong evidence from across the field indicates that a healthy diet, exercise, and cognitively stimulating activities—such as education, challenging jobs, and hobbies—can boost brain resilience to diseases that cause dementia,” she stated.

Dementia currently affects approximately one in eleven people over the age of 65 in the UK, resulting in around 76,000 deaths annually and making it the country’s leading cause of death. The economic burden of dementia care in the UK amounts to an estimated £42 billion per year, a figure projected to double by 2040 according to the Alzheimer’s Society.

In an effort to raise awareness and improve outcomes related to dementia, the Daily Mail recently launched its “Defeating Dementia” campaign in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Society. Researchers believe that approximately 45 percent of all dementia cases may be preventable, or at least that symptoms can be delayed significantly, allowing individuals to lead longer, healthier lives.