Full-Fat Cheese and Cream Linked to Lower Dementia risk, New Study Finds
Table of Contents
A growing body of evidence suggests dietary choices play a significant role in long-term brain health, and a new study published on December 17, 2025, in Neurology adds a surprising twist: regular consumption of full-fat cheese and cream may be associated with a reduced risk of developing dementia. while researchers emphasize this is an association, not proof of causation, the findings challenge conventional wisdom about the role of fat in cognitive decline.
The Unexpected Connection: High-Fat Dairy and Brain Health
for decades, health advice has frequently enough steered individuals toward low-fat options, sometimes portraying cheese as a food to limit. However, this large-scale study, analyzing data from 27,670 adults in Sweden over a period of approximately 25 years, suggests a more nuanced picture. Researchers discovered that individuals who incorporated more high-fat dairy into their diets exhibited a lower incidence of dementia later in life.
“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,” stated a researcher from Lund University, Sweden.
Quantifying the Risk Reduction
The study specifically focused on high-fat cheeses, defined as containing more than 20% fat – including familiar varieties like cheddar, Brie, and Gouda – and high-fat cream, typically containing 30-40% fat, such as whipping cream and double cream. Participants who consumed 50 grams or more of high-fat cheese daily experienced a 13% lower risk of dementia compared to those who ate less than 15 grams. Similarly, those who consumed at least 20 grams of high-fat cream per day showed a 16% reduction in dementia risk compared to those who abstained.
To put those amounts into viewpoint, 50 grams of cheese is roughly equivalent to two slices of cheddar or half a cup of shredded cheese, while 20 grams of high-fat cream is about 1.4 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream.
Specific Dementia Types and Genetic Factors
Interestingly, the protective effect of high-fat cheese appeared strongest against vascular dementia, with a 29% lower risk observed among higher consumers. A reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease was also noted, but this association was primarily seen in individuals without the APOE e4 gene variant – a known genetic risk factor for the disease. This suggests a potential interplay between genetic predisposition and dietary factors.
Not All Dairy is Created Equal
Crucially, the study found no similar association with low-fat cheese, low-fat cream, milk, butter, or fermented milk products like yogurt and kefir.This highlights the importance of differentiating between dairy types when considering their impact on brain health. “These findings suggest that when it comes to brain health not all dairy is equal,” a researcher explained. “While eating more high-fat cheese and cream was linked to a reduced risk of dementia, othre dairy products and low-fat alternatives did not show the same effect.”
Study Limitations and Future Directions
While promising, the findings are not without limitations. The study population was exclusively Swedish, raising questions about the generalizability of the results to other populations with different dietary habits.dietary practices in Sweden, where cheese is often consumed uncooked, differ from those in countries like the United States, where cheese is frequently heated or paired with meat.
researchers acknowledge the need for further inquiry, including studies conducted in diverse populations, to confirm these findings and unravel the underlying mechanisms. More research is needed to explore whether consuming certain high-fat dairy truly offers some level of protection for the brain.
the study was supported by the Swedish Research Council, Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation, Crafoord Foundation, Magnus Bergvall Foundation, and Albert Påhlsson Foundation.
