Eating some full-fat dairy foods may be linked to a lower risk of dementia, according to a large study published in Neurology. Researchers followed more than 27,000 adults in Sweden for over 20 years and found that people who regularly ate more full-fat cheese and cream were less likely to develop dementia later in life. The study shows an association, not proof, but it challenges the idea that all high-fat dairy is bad for brain health.
People who ate the most full-fat cheese had a noticeably lower risk of dementia compared with those who ate very little. The strongest link was seen with vascular dementia, which is tied to blood vessel health in the brain. Researchers also saw a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease in people who did not carry a high-risk genetic variant, suggesting that individual biology may affect how the brain responds to dietary fat.
Not all dairy foods showed the same pattern. Low-fat cheese, milk, yogurt, butter and fermented dairy were not linked to changes in dementia risk. Researchers say preparation methods and overall diet likely matter, and results may differ in other populations. Still, the findings add to growing evidence that naturally occurring fats in traditional foods may play a more complex role in brain health than once thought.
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