Cheese Consumption Linked to Brain Health: New Study Insights

Eating more high-fat cheese and cream may be associated with a lower risk of developing dementia, according to a study published on December 17 in the academic journal Neurology. The analysis involved nearly 30 thousand people and challenges the long-held belief that low-fat diets are protective against dementia.

Lead author Emily Sonestedt, an epidemiologist at Lund University in Sweden, noted that the study indicates some high-fat dairy products may reduce dementia risk. Researchers analyzed data from 27,670 participants in Sweden, averaging 58 years old at the study's start.

Participants recorded their food intake for a week and answered dietary frequency questions. Over an average follow-up of 25 years, 3,208 individuals developed dementia. The study found that people consuming more high-fat cheese had a 13% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who consumed less.

High-fat cheeses include those with more than 20% fat, such as Manchego, Parmesan, Roquefort, and cheddar. Naveed Sattar, a professor of cardiometabolic medicine at the University of Glasgow, criticized the study for not demonstrating causation and highlighted the possibility of residual confounding due to higher education levels among cheese consumers.

Tara Spires-Jones, director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, echoed similar concerns, emphasizing that the diet details were only collected at the study's onset, making long-term conclusions less reliable.

Experts agree that maintaining a healthy diet is vital, but there is no strong evidence supporting that any specific food can protect against dementia. With dementia's incidence on the rise, it is projected that by 2050, 153 million people will live with dementia globally.

A report from the Lancet Commission on Dementia suggests that 45% of all dementia cases could be avoided or delayed by eliminating preventable risk factors like diabetes and high cholesterol. Excess LDL cholesterol, associated with high-fat cheeses, could account for 7% of dementia cases.

Despite the findings, a meta-analysis from Peking University showed a link between higher saturated fat consumption and increased risk of cognitive decline, reinforcing the need for caution in interpreting these dietary associations.

Experts warn against the assumption that lifestyle choices alone could prevent dementia, noting that many risk factors are beyond individual control. No conclusive, causal evidence indicates that dietary choices can prevent dementia, especially concerning specific foods.