Study links high-fat cheese and cream consumption to reduced dementia risk - Video

Could a little extra cheese actually help your brain stay sharp? A 25-year study from Lund University in Sweden, published in Neurology, suggests that people who eat high fat cheese and cream in moderation may have a lower risk of dementia—while low fat dairy and milk showed no similar benefits. The research, which followed nearly 28,000 adults for over two decades, adds a fascinating twist to the long debated question of how saturated fats affect brain health.

Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, affects millions worldwide, and experts have long looked for dietary factors that could prevent age related cognitive decline. To explore dairy’s role, researchers from Lund University analyzed detailed diet questionnaires and health outcomes across participants who remained dementia free at the study’s start. Over 25 years, they tracked how different types of dairy products-high fat cheese, cream, milk, butter, and their low fat versions—related to dementia risk.

The findings were striking. Those who consumed at least 50 grams (about one third cup) of high fat cheese daily or 20 grams (about 1.5 tablespoons) of high fat cream had a significantly lower risk of both overall and vascular dementia. In contrast, low fat dairy, milk, and butter showed no association with reduced risk. According to senior author Dr. Emily Sonestedt, the difference may lie in how these foods are produced and used. “Cheese is fermented, producing bioactive compounds that can reduce inflammation and improve blood vessel function,” she explained. “Cream is usually part of cooked meals, while milk’s consumption patterns vary more widely.”

Genetic factors also played a role. Roughly 15–20% of participants carried the APOE ε4 gene, which increases Alzheimer’s risk—and these individuals did not experience any protective benefits from dairy. This suggests that diet may interact differently with genetic backgrounds, reinforcing the need for personalized brain health advice.

The authors stress that the study is observational, meaning it cannot prove cause and effect. “This isn’t a green light to load up on cheese,” Sonestedt noted. “But it does show that, in moderate amounts, full fat dairy—especially fermented kinds—fits comfortably within a healthy, balanced diet.”

REFERENCE: Du, Y., et al. (2025). High- and Low-Fat Dairy Consumption and Long-Term Risk of Dementia. Neurology. doi: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000214343. https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000214343