Brie, cheddar, and other high-fat cheeses linked to lower dementia risk

It was found in ancient human feces. The US government has stored 6.4 tonnes in the mountains. And a big part of it played a major role at a presidential farewell party. We’re talking about cheese.

Although consuming too much of this popular dairy product can lead to tummy problems and high cholesterol for some, new research suggests that eating more high-fat cheese and cream may be linked to a lower risk of developing dementia. Even though the results published today in Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, does not prove that it reduces the total risk of the disease, it shows an association.

The high-fat debate

High-fat cheeses include cheddar, brie and gouda and contain more than 20 percent fat. High-fat creams such as whipped cream, double cream and clotted cream typically contain 30 to 40 percent fat. These products are typically labeled as “whole” or “regular” versions in grocery stores.

“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,” Emily Sonestedt, PhD, study co-author and nutritional epidemiologist at Lund University in Sweden, said in a statement. “Our study found that some high-fat dairy products might actually reduce the risk of dementia, challenging some long-held assumptions about fat and brain health.”

In this new study, the team analyzed data from 27,670 people in Sweden, with an average age of 58 at the start of the study. Participants were followed for an average of 25 years. During the study, 3,208 people developed dementia.

For a week, participants tracked what they ate and answered questions about how often they ate certain foods. They also spoke with the researchers about how they prepared their food.

The researchers then compared people who ate 50 grams (about 1.7 ounces) or more of high-fat cheese daily with people who ate less than 15 grams (about half an ounce). Fifty grams of cheese is about two slices of cheddar and half a cup of shredded cheese, or about 15 grams. A serving of cheese is typically one ounce or 28 grams.

Among those who ate more high-fat cheese, 10% developed dementia by the end of the study. Among those who ate less, 13 percent developed dementia.

Risk factors

After adjusting for age, gender, education and overall diet quality, the team found that people who ate more high-fat cheese had a 13% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who ate less.

There are more than 100 known forms of dementia, but the four main types are Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia. Looking at specific types of dementia, the team found that people who ate more high-fat cheese had a 29 percent lower risk of vascular dementia.

There was also a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease among those who consumed more high-fat cheese. However, this risk was only lower in those who did not have the APOE e4 gene variant, a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.

Additionally, the team compared people who consumed 20 grams (about 0.7 ounces) or more of high-fat cream per day to those who consumed none. For example, 20 grams of full-fat cream is about 1.4 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream, and a recommended serving size is about 1 to 2 tablespoons. After similar adjustments, researchers found that those who consumed high-fat cream daily had a 16 percent lower risk of dementia than those who did not.

They found no association between dementia risk and consumption of low-fat cheese, low-fat cream, high- or low-fat milk, butter, or fermented milk (yogurt, kefir, and buttermilk).

“When it comes to brain health, not all dairy is equal”

An important limitation of this study is that all participants were from Sweden. The results may therefore not be the same for other populations. Sonestedt notes that in Sweden, cheese is often eaten raw, while in the United States it is often heated or eaten with meat. Sweden also has universal health coverage, something the United States lacks. Universal coverage generally leads to better health outcomes. Although they spend far more money than other countries, Americans live shorter lives and face more barriers to accessing basic care. Socioeconomic factors, exposure to pollution, and other lifestyle factors can therefore skew nutrition studies like this.

“These results suggest that when it comes to brain health, not all dairy products are equal,” Sonestedt said. “While eating more high-fat cheese and cream is linked to a reduced risk of dementia, other low-fat dairy products and alternatives have not shown the same effect. Additional research is needed to confirm our study results and further explore whether consuming certain high-fat dairy products actually provides some level of protection for the brain.”

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