For decades, dietary advice has often cautioned against high-fat foods, but a large, long-term study from Sweden is challenging some of those assumptions. Researchers have found an unexpected association between the consumption of full-fat dairy – specifically cheese and cream – and a reduced risk of developing dementia.
The study, published earlier this week and tracking nearly 28,000 individuals over a period of 25 years, revealed that those who regularly consumed more than 50 grams (approximately 1.76 ounces) of high-fat cheese per day exhibited a 13%–17% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, among those without a known genetic predisposition to the condition. Individuals who consumed more than 20 grams of full-fat cream daily showed a 16%–24% reduction in the overall risk of dementia.
These findings, published in the journal PubMed on , are prompting a re-evaluation of the role of dietary fat in brain health. “For decades, the debate over high-fat versus low-fat diets has shaped health advice, sometimes even categorizing cheese as an unhealthy food to limit,” says Emily Sonestedt, a nutrition epidemiologist at Lund University in Sweden, as reported by ScienceAlert. “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.”
The study meticulously followed participants from to , recording 3,208 cases of dementia during the follow-up period. Researchers carefully accounted for various lifestyle factors and health conditions. Importantly, the protective effect of high-fat cheese was not observed in individuals carrying genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease, specifically the APOE ε4 gene.
While the results are intriguing, experts emphasize the need for cautious interpretation. The study demonstrates an association, not causation. This means that while a link between cheese and cream consumption and lower dementia risk was observed, it doesn’t definitively prove that these foods cause the reduction in risk. Other factors related to diet and lifestyle likely play a significant role.
The researchers suggest that the observed benefits may be linked to the overall dietary patterns of those who consume these foods. It’s possible that individuals who regularly include full-fat dairy in their diet also adhere to other healthy habits, such as a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
The study did not find significant associations between dementia risk and the consumption of low-fat milk, high-fat milk, fermented milk products, or low-fat cream. This suggests that the benefits are specific to the fat content of the dairy products.
Dementia is a growing global health concern, with an estimated 57 million people living with the condition in , and approximately 10 million new cases diagnosed each year. Projections indicate that this number could rise to 153 million by . Given the limited availability of effective treatments, identifying modifiable risk factors, such as diet, is crucial.
“Since there’s a dearth of effective treatments for dementia, some researchers are focusing their efforts on ways of reducing the chances of developing dementia, with diet playing a major role in these risk mitigation strategies,” ScienceAlert reports.
It’s important to note that this study does not provide a green light to consume unlimited amounts of high-fat cheese and cream. A balanced and varied diet remains the cornerstone of good health. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying the observed association and to determine the optimal amount and type of dairy consumption for brain health. Researchers are currently investigating potential pathways, but a definitive explanation remains elusive.
The findings highlight the complexity of the relationship between diet and dementia and underscore the importance of considering the broader context of dietary patterns and individual genetic factors. While the study offers a potentially encouraging glimpse into the role of full-fat dairy in brain health, it’s crucial to approach these results with a measured and informed perspective.
