New research from Sweden is set to challenge conventional dietary wisdom, suggesting that enjoying generous helpings of high-fat cheese and cream could be associated with a reduced risk of developing dementia later in life.
Decades of Data Reveal Surprising Link
The findings stem from a comprehensive, quarter-century-long study that meticulously tracked the diets and health outcomes of more than 27,600 Swedish adults. Beginning between 1991 and 1996, participants with an average age of 58 provided detailed food diaries and underwent interviews, with researchers following their health via national registries until the end of 2020.
Over this extended period, 1,920 individuals were diagnosed with some form of dementia, including 1,126 cases of Alzheimer's disease and 451 of vascular dementia. The analysis of their long-term dietary patterns revealed a striking correlation.
Specific Dairy Products Show Protective Association
The study pinpointed that consuming at least 50 grams (roughly 1.8 ounces) of full-fat cheese daily was linked to a 13% lower risk of all-cause dementia compared to minimal consumption. Similarly, a daily intake of at least 20 grams (about 1.4 tablespoons) of full-fat cream correlated with a 16% reduced risk.
Examples of high-fat cheeses include varieties like Cheddar, Brie, and Gouda, which contain over 20% fat. High-fat creams encompass products like whipping, double, and clotted cream, with a fat content of 30-40%.
Importantly, this protective link was specific. Other dairy products such as low-fat milk, yogurt, butter, and low-fat cheeses showed no similar association with reduced dementia risk.
Genetic Factors and Broader Health Context
The research, published in the journal Neurology, uncovered a nuance regarding Alzheimer's disease. The reduced risk from eating full-fat cheese was only observed in individuals who did not carry the APOE ε4 gene variant, a leading genetic risk factor for dementia.
Furthermore, the study noted that participants who regularly consumed these high-fat dairy items tended to have better overall health markers, including lower BMI, reduced rates of diabetes and heart disease, and less frequent use of cholesterol medication.
Lead researcher Dr Emily Sonestedt, a neurologist at Lund University, commented on the implications. "For decades, the debate over high-fat versus low-fat diets has shaped health advice, sometimes even categorising cheese as an unhealthy food to limit," she said. "Our study found that some high-fat dairy products may actually lower the risk of dementia, challenging some long-held assumptions about fat and brain health."
Correlation, Not Causation, and Dietary Cautions
The scientists were careful to note that their work establishes an observational correlation, not direct causation. The biological mechanism behind the link remains uninvestigated and is a key area for future research.
They also issued a crucial warning against misinterpreting the results. The findings do not support simply adding high-fat cheese and cream to an existing diet. Specifically, they cautioned against substituting these dairy products for other fatty foods like red meat, which is high in saturated fat and has been linked to a higher rate of dementia.
The results may prompt a re-evaluation of certain dietary guidelines, such as the MIND diet, which traditionally limits dairy. Dr Sonestedt concluded, "These findings suggest that when it comes to brain health, not all dairy is equal." The study underscores the complexity of nutrition science and the potential for specific foods to play unique roles in long-term cognitive health.
