A large-scale study conducted in Sweden has shown that the regular consumption of high-fat cheese and cream may be linked to a reduced risk of developing dementia.
According to the research published in the journal Neurology, scientists monitored more than 27,000 individuals over a period of 25 years. The results revealed that those who consumed an average of 50 grams of full-fat cheese per day had a 13% lower risk of dementia compared to the group that consumed small amounts of the product. The difference was particularly striking in cases of vascular dementia, where the risk was nearly a third lower.
A similar trend was observed with the consumption of high-fat cream, which reduced the probability of the disease by 16%. Researchers note that this effect applies only to full-fat products, such as Cheddar, Brie, and Gouda. Interestingly, low-fat cheese, milk, butter, and yogurt did not show a similar impact on brain health.
While the study does not directly prove that dementia can be prevented solely through high-fat dairy products, it challenges the long-standing belief regarding the absolute harmfulness of fats.
Scientists suggest that not all dairy products are equally beneficial for brain health, and further study is required to understand why specifically cheese and cream have a protective effect on the body.
