High-fat cheese and cream may reduce dementia risk by up to 16 per cent, according to a Swedish study. The researchers tracked 27,670 adults averaging 58 years old for 25 years. Among them, 3,208 developed dementia by study’s end. High-fat cheese eaters—50g+ daily, like two cheddar slices—showed 10% dementia rate versus 13% for low consumers.
After adjustments for age, sex, education, and diet, high-fat cheese linked to 13% lower overall risk. Vascular dementia dropped 29% notably. Thus, full-fat options like cheddar, Brie, or Gouda stand out.
High-fat cream (20g+ daily, about 1.4 tablespoons) tied to 16% reduced risk versus none. No benefits appeared from low-fat versions or other dairy like milk or yogurt.
Why High-Fat Dairy Might Protect
Lead author Emily Sonestedt from Lund University questions decades of low-fat advice. High-fat cheese often stays uncooked in Sweden, unlike U.S. heated uses. Therefore, preparation could influence outcomes.
Among non-APOE e4 carriers, high-fat cheese cut Alzheimer’s risk significantly. This gene variant heightens Alzheimer’s susceptibility. Consequently, genetic factors may modulate dairy’s brain benefits.
Experts stress association, not causation. Butter, fermented milk showed no links. Hence, not all dairy equals brain protection.
Study Limitations and Next Steps
All participants hailed from Sweden, limiting global applicability. U.S. diets often pair cheese with meat or heat it. Sonestedt calls for American research to verify.
Self-reported diets relied on weekly logs and recall. Long follow-up strengthens data, yet causality remains unproven. More trials needed to confirm.
Q&A: Decoding the Study
Q: What counts as high-fat cheese?
A: Varieties over 20% fat, such as cheddar, Brie, Gouda—about two slices daily.
Q: How much cream showed benefits?
A: 20g or more daily, like 1.4 tablespoons of whipping or clotted cream.
Q: Why no low-fat benefits?
A: Study found zero associations; high-fat specifics may drive protective effects.
FAQ: Dairy and Dementia Essentials
Does this prove cheese prevents dementia?
No, it shows association only; causation needs further proof.
Which dementias benefited most?
Vascular dementia saw 29% risk drop with high-fat cheese.
Safe for APOE e4 carriers?
Alzheimer’s link held only for non-carriers.
Other dairy safe or helpful?
Low-fat, milk, butter showed no dementia risk ties.
U.S. results likely similar?
Unclear; cooking habits differ—more local studies required.
