High-Fat Cheese and Brain Health: Your Daily Portion Can Reduce Dementia Risk

Cheese has long divided nutrition experts. While appreciated worldwide for its taste and versatility, high-fat cheese has often been criticized due to concerns around saturated fat and long-term health. However, new science news suggests that this long-debated food may offer an unexpected benefit: a lower risk of dementia.

A large Swedish study has found that adults who consumed 50 grams or more of high-fat cheese daily were less likely to develop dementia over time, challenging long-standing assumptions about dietary fat and brain health (Du et al.).a

A Long-Term Study With Rare Insights

The research followed 27,670 adults in Sweden for approximately 25 years, making it one of the most comprehensive studies to explore diet and dementia risk. Participants were drawn from the well-established Malmö Diet and Cancer cohort, which tracks lifestyle habits and long-term health outcomes.

At the beginning of the study, participants documented their food intake through a seven-day food diary, a food-frequency questionnaire, and in-depth interviews about eating habits and food preparation. Over the following decades, health records were monitored to identify new dementia diagnoses (Du et al.).

By the end of the follow-up period, 3,208 participants had developed dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.

What the Results Revealed

Researchers found a noticeable difference in dementia risk based on cheese consumption. About 10 percent of participants who consumed 50 grams or more of high-fat cheese daily developed dementia, compared to nearly 13 percent among those who consumed less than 15 grams per day (Du et al.).

After adjusting for age, sex, education level, and overall diet quality, high-fat cheese consumption was associated with a 13 percent lower risk of all-cause dementia. This association was statistically significant and consistent across several demographic groups.

Importantly, the same protective link was not observed for low-fat cheese, milk, yogurt, kefir, or cream. Butter showed mixed results, with some evidence suggesting a possible increase in Alzheimer’s risk at very high intake levels (Du et al.).

Why Cheese May Affect Brain Health

Scientists are still exploring why high-fat cheese appears to stand out among dairy products. Cheese contains a complex blend of nutrients, including vitamin B12, calcium, specific fatty acids, and bioactive compounds produced during fermentation.

Some researchers believe these compounds may help reduce inflammation or support nerve cell function, while others point to the growing evidence around the gut–brain axis, which links digestive health to cognitive performance (Smith et al.).

Emily Sonestedt, a nutrition epidemiologist at Lund University, noted that the findings challenge decades of dietary advice that broadly categorized high-fat foods as harmful. According to Sonestedt, the relationship between fat and brain health is more nuanced than previously believed (Sonestedt).

Dementia: A Growing Global Challenge

Dementia is one of the world’s fastest-growing health concerns. According to the World Health Organization, more than 57 million people were living with dementia globally in 2021, with nearly 10 million new cases diagnosed each year (World Health Organization).

With no cure currently available, researchers increasingly focus on prevention strategies, particularly lifestyle and dietary factors that may lower risk. Diets such as the Mediterranean and MIND diets have shown promise, though results across studies remain inconsistent (Livingston et al.).

Important Limitations of the Research

Despite its size and long follow-up period, the study has limitations. One major concern is that dietary habits were recorded only at the beginning of the study. Over 25 years, participants’ diets, physical activity levels, and health conditions likely changed.

Experts caution against interpreting the findings as proof that cheese alone prevents dementia. Tara Spires-Jones of the UK Dementia Research Institute emphasized that observational studies can show associations but cannot establish cause and effect (Spires-Jones).

A Balanced Perspective

Health experts agree that no single food can protect against dementia. Brain health is influenced by multiple factors, including physical activity, cardiovascular health, sleep quality, education, and lifelong mental stimulation.

For readers in Qatar and the wider region, the findings encourage a balanced approach to nutrition. Enjoying cheese in moderation as part of a diverse, nutrient-rich diet may be beneficial, but it should not replace other proven healthy habits.

Final Thoughts

This study adds to a growing body of science-backed evidence suggesting that dietary fat is not inherently harmful and may even support long-term brain health under certain conditions. While further research is needed to understand the biological mechanisms involved, the findings invite a fresh look at how traditional foods fit into modern health advice.

For now, the message is clear: brain health depends on balance, not extremes — and even long-criticized foods may have a place in a well-rounded diet.

References:

1. Du, Yufeng, et al. “High- and Low-Fat Dairy Consumption and Long-Term Risk of Dementia: A Prospective Cohort Study.” Neurology, 2024.

2. Sonestedt, Emily. “Full-Fat Cheese Linked to Lower Risk of Dementia.” Lund University, 18 Dec. 2024,
www.lunduniversity.lu.se/article/full-fat-cheese-linked-lower-risk-dementia.

3. World Health Organization. Dementia Fact Sheet. World Health Organization, 2023,
www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia.

4. Livingston, Gill, et al. “Dementia Prevention, Intervention, and Care.” The Lancet, vol. 396, no. 10248, 2020, pp. 413–446.

5. Smith, Toby J., et al. “Dairy Consumption and Risk of Cognitive Decline: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Nutrition Reviews, vol. 81, no. 3, 2023, pp. 215–229.

Spires-Jones, Tara. “Diet, Dementia, and the Limits of Observational Studies.” UK Dementia Research Institute, 2024.