Does High-Fat Dairy Reduce Dementia Risk?

New research from Sweden has highlighted the potential benefits of full-fat cheese and cream, suggesting they might be linked to a reduced risk of developing dementia. This extensive study, published in the journal Neurology, tracked over 27,000 adults for nearly three decades, revealing some intriguing insights into diet and brain health.

Research Overview

The study included 27,670 participants, who were an average age of 58 when they enrolled. Following these individuals for approximately 25 years, the researchers found that 3,208 participants received a dementia diagnosis. Initially, participants recorded their dietary habits for a week, completed detailed questionnaires about their long-term eating patterns, and discussed their cooking methods with the research team.

Key Findings

One major finding indicated that those who consumed at least 50 grams of high-fat cheese daily, which equates to about two slices of cheddar, had a significantly lower likelihood of developing dementia compared to individuals who consumed less than 15 grams per day. For this study, high-fat cheeses were categorized as those having over 20% fat, while high-fat creams typically ranged from 30 to 40% fat.

After adjusting for various factors—such as age, gender, education, and overall dietary quality—higher consumption of cheese correlated with a 13% reduction in dementia risk.

“When we went on to look at specific types of dementia, we found that there was a 29% lower risk of vascular dementia in people who consumed more full-fat cheese,” explained Emily Sonestedt, the nutrition epidemiologist at Lund University and lead author of the study.

“We also noted a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease, but this was primarily seen in individuals without the APOE e4 gene variant, a known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s.”

The consumption of high-fat cream was associated with a lower risk of developing dementia as well. Those who consumed at least 20 grams daily—roughly one to two tablespoons—had a 16% lower risk compared to non-consumers.

Not All Dairy is Equal

Interestingly, the benefits were not observed across all dairy products. As Sonestedt noted, “Although higher-fat cheese and cream were linked to a decreased risk of dementia, other dairy items and low-fat variants didn’t demonstrate the same advantage. Therefore, not all dairy is created equal in terms of supporting brain health.”

Limitations of the Study

Despite these compelling findings, experts caution that this study does not definitively establish a causal relationship between high-fat dairy consumption and reduced dementia risk. Dr. Richard Oakley from the Alzheimer’s Society emphasized that various lifestyle factors—like staying active, eating a well-balanced diet, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol intake—play a more significant role in dementia prevention.

“This research does not indicate that increasing high-fat dairy intake, such as cheese or cream, will lower the risk of developing dementia,” he stated. “Current evidence suggests that lifestyle changes, like quitting smoking and engaging in regular exercise, are much more impactful than focusing on any single food.”

Professor Tara Spires-Jones, director at Edinburgh’s Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, pointed out another limitation: participants’ dietary assessments were only captured once, 25 years prior to the analysis of dementia diagnoses.

“It’s very plausible that participants’ dietary habits and other lifestyle factors evolved during those 25 years,” she noted, emphasizing the importance of a holistic view of health. “Robust evidence supports that a healthy diet, regular exercise, and engaging in cognitively stimulating activities can enhance brain resilience.” She added, “There is insufficient evidence to suggest any single food acts as a protective measure against dementia.”

Conclusion

In summary, while full-fat cheese and cream may offer some advantages in reducing dementia risk, it’s essential to recognize the broader lifestyle factors involved. A balanced approach to diet and activity level remains vital for maintaining brain health.

Key Takeaways:

• High-fat dairy, particularly cheese and cream, may be linked to a lower risk of dementia.
• Participants consuming higher amounts of these foods showed a significant reduction in dementia diagnosis likelihood.
• Not all dairy products provide the same benefits; focus on high-fat options.
• Lifestyle choices play a crucial role in dementia prevention, overshadowing the influence of individual food items.