A significant long-term study from Sweden has revealed that middle-aged and older adults consuming more full-fat cheese and cream might have a reduced risk of developing dementia. Although this sounds promising, researchers caution that the findings should be taken with a grain of salt.
The investigation monitored 27,670 individuals over 25 years. Throughout this period, 3,208 participants received a dementia diagnosis. Notably, among those without known genetic risks for Alzheimer’s, consuming over 50 grams of full-fat cheese daily correlated with a 13% to 17% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s. However, this link did not apply to those with genetic predispositions for the disease.
Additionally, individuals who partook of more than 20 grams of full-fat cream each day demonstrated an overall lower chance of dementia, ranging from 16% to 24%. No significant associations were observed for low-fat or high-fat milk, fermented or non-fermented milk, or low-fat cream.
These Findings Challenge Established Nutrition Guidance
This study’s outcomes feel noteworthy, particularly because public health recommendations have historically advised low-fat dairy options for heart health. This is relevant since cardiovascular disease and dementia share numerous risk factors, like high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.
When previous studies’ data are combined, there seems to be a link between cheese consumption and a reduced risk of heart disease, indicating that full-fat dairy may not necessarily heighten cardiovascular risks. Other studies have looked into whether similar effects apply to brain health, but the results have been inconsistent.
Mixed Results Across Varying Populations
Evidence indicates that studies in Asian populations are more inclined to show dairy benefits for cognitive health, whereas many European studies do not. One possible reasoning could be that average dairy intake is typically much lower in Asian countries, which might lead to different effects of modest consumption compared to higher levels.
For instance, a study from Japan indicated a reduced risk of dementia among those eating cheese, though overall dairy consumption levels were notably low, and the research was funded by a cheese industry player. Conversely, another Japanese study backed by government financing detected no protective effects from cheese.
Some European long-term studies have also suggested benefits. A Finnish study following 2,497 middle-aged men for 22 years found that cheese consumption alone was associated with a 28% lower risk of dementia.
Dietary Patterns Impacting Brain Health
Other eating patterns also appear significant. Increased intake of milk and processed red meat correlated with poorer cognitive test performances, while fish consumption showed positive associations. A substantial UK study involving nearly 250,000 participants found that eating fish two to four times a week, fruit daily, and cheese weekly was linked to lower dementia risk.
Still, these studies have notable limitations. People typically self-report their diets, and memory changes can impact both eating habits and how accurately people recall their meals. To overcome this, Swedish researchers implemented two measures.
Addressing Early Dementia Related Changes
First, they excluded anyone diagnosed with dementia at the study’s start. They then recalculated the results after removing participants who developed dementia within the first ten years. This approach didn’t restart the study or recruit new people but rather reassessed findings using a smaller group who stayed dementia-free for a longer time.
The rationale is that the early phases of dementia can subtly alter behavior before any formal diagnosis. People might change their eating patterns, lose appetite, or struggle to remember what they typically consume. By focusing on those who maintained cognitive health for a more extended period, researchers minimized the likelihood that early behavioral changes impacted the results.
Examining Food Substitution and Overall Diet
An essential question is whether substitutions played a part. Some of the observed benefits might stem from swapping red or processed meats for cheese or cream, rather than dairy itself. Supporting this, the Swedish study found no correlation between full-fat dairy and dementia risk among participants whose diets were stable over five years.
The crux is that we shouldn’t look at foods in isolation; dietary habits as a whole are more critical than single items. Diets like the Mediterranean diet, which consistently show lower risks for both dementia and heart disease, include cheese alongside fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains.
Lifestyle Factors May Contribute to Some Findings
In the Swedish study, individuals who consumed more full-fat cheese and cream tended to be more educated, less likely overweight, and had reduced rates of ailments associated with dementia, such as heart disease and diabetes. These factors independently lower dementia risk.
This points to the idea that higher cheese intake often coincided with healthier lifestyles rather than excessive calorie consumption or poor metabolic health.
What the Evidence Suggests
In summary, the evidence doesn’t necessarily support the idea that full-fat dairy causes dementia. Nor does it confirm that fermented milk products offer reliable protection against it. Full-fat cheese contains various nutrients relevant to brain function, such as fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and K2, along with vitamin B12, folate, iodine, zinc, and selenium. These play roles in neurological health and could support cognitive function.
However, the findings do not advocate for overindulging in cheese or cream as preventive measures against dementia or heart disease. The overarching message seems to emphasize balanced diets, moderation, and overall lifestyle, which carry more weight than any specific item on a cheese platter.
