Does cheese protect the brain from dementia? A new study examines the connection

A report on the MedicalXpress and “Al Arabiya” website claims that a recent study indicates that the consumption of certain whole milk products, especially cheese and high-fat cream, may be associated with a reduced risk of dementia.

The study, published in the journal Neurology of the American Academy of Neurology, clarified that the results do not prove a direct causal relationship, but they reveal a striking statistical correlation between the consumption of these products and long-term brain health.

The researchers relied on data collected from 27,670 people in Sweden, whose average age at the start of the study was 58. All subjects were followed for nearly 25 years. During this period, 3,208 participants developed dementia. Participants were asked to record their food intake for a week and answer detailed questionnaires about their dietary patterns over the past few years, as well as their food preparation methods, which allowed the researchers to create an accurate picture of dairy consumption.

The study compared people who consumed 50 grams or more of high-fat cheese (such as cheddar, brie, and gouda) daily with those who consumed less than 15 grams daily. The results showed that only 10% of the first group developed dementia, compared to 13% in the lower intake group.

After adjusting the results for factors such as age, sex, education and the quality of the general diet, it was found that a higher consumption of full-fat cheese is associated with a 13% lower risk of vascular dementia and a 29% lower risk.

Potential effect on Alzheimer’s

The researchers also noted a decreased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease among high-fat cheese consumers, but this effect only appeared in people who did not carry the APOE e4 gene variant, which is known to be associated with an increased risk of the disease.

The results weren’t just limited to cheese, as the study showed that people who consumed 20 grams or more of full-fat sweetened cream daily – the equivalent of one and a half tablespoons of sweetened cream – had a 16% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who didn’t consume it at all.

The researchers believe that more studies are needed in different communities to understand the role of fats, bioactive compounds and how cheese is consumed in protecting the brain.

These results do not support the excessive consumption of fatty cheeses, but they open a new door for a renewed examination of the relationship between dietary fats and brain health, while moving away from old generalizations.