A large Swedish study has reported a potential link between the consumption of full-fat cheese and cream and a reduced risk of dementia among middle-aged and older adults. The findings, which may seem like welcome news to cheese lovers, warrant careful interpretation and further research.
The study tracked 27,670 participants over 25 years, during which 3,208 individuals developed dementia. Among participants without a known genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease, consuming more than 50 grams of full-fat cheese daily was associated with a 13%–17% lower risk of Alzheimer’s. However, this reduction was not observed in individuals with genetic risk factors for the disease.
The Study’s Findings and Public Health Implications
Consuming more than 20 grams of full-fat cream per day was linked to a 16%–24% lower risk of dementia overall. Interestingly, no associations were found for low-fat or high-fat milk, fermented or non-fermented milk, or low-fat cream. These findings challenge longstanding public health advice that advocates for low-fat dairy consumption to reduce cardiovascular risk, given that heart disease and dementia share many risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.
When previous studies are considered, analyses suggest that cheese consumption may also correlate with a lower risk of heart disease and that full-fat dairy does not necessarily increase cardiovascular risk. However, the evidence is mixed regarding its impact on brain health.
Comparative Studies and Cultural Differences
Evidence from various studies indicates that the benefits of dairy consumption for cognitive health might differ across populations. Studies conducted in Asian populations are more likely to report positive effects, possibly due to lower average dairy intakes compared to European countries. For instance, a Japanese study reported reduced dementia risk among cheese consumers, although overall consumption was low and the research was sponsored by a cheese producer. Conversely, another government-funded Japanese study found no protective effect.
Some long-term European studies have also reported benefits. A Finnish study involving 2,497 middle-aged men over 22 years found that cheese was the only food associated with a 28% reduction in dementia risk. Meanwhile, a large UK study involving nearly 250,000 participants found that eating fish, fruit, and cheese was associated with lower dementia risk.
Methodological Considerations and Limitations
These studies face significant limitations, primarily due to self-reported dietary habits, which can be influenced by memory changes. The Swedish researchers addressed this by excluding participants with dementia at the study’s onset and re-evaluating results after removing those who developed dementia within the first ten years. This approach aimed to minimize the influence of early cognitive changes on dietary reporting.
Another factor to consider is dietary substitution. The benefits observed might result from replacing red or processed meats with cheese or cream, rather than the dairy itself. Supporting this notion, the Swedish study found no association between full-fat dairy and dementia risk among participants with stable diets over five years.
Looking Ahead: The Role of Balanced Diets
Most importantly, foods should not be considered in isolation. Dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet, which includes cheese alongside vegetables, fish, whole grains, and fruit, are consistently associated with lower risks of both dementia and heart disease. In the Swedish study, higher cheese and cream consumers were generally more educated, less likely to be overweight, and had lower rates of conditions linked to dementia.
This suggests that higher cheese intake often occurs within healthier overall lifestyles, rather than alongside excess calorie consumption or poor metabolic health. Overall, the evidence does not support the notion that full-fat dairy causes dementia or that fermented milk products reliably protect against it.
Full-fat cheese contains several nutrients relevant to brain health, including fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and K2, as well as vitamin B12, folate, iodine, zinc, and selenium. These nutrients play roles in neurological function and may help support cognitive health.
Nevertheless, the data do not justify consuming large amounts of cheese or cream as protective foods against dementia or heart disease. The most consistent message remains that balanced diets, moderation, and overall lifestyle choices matter far more than any single item on the cheese board.
