Does high-fat dairy prevent dementia? Not so fast, experts say | CNN
Can eating cheese or cream really help protect your brain from dementia? A new long-term study from Sweden has sparked that question—but health experts say the answer isn’t as simple as it sounds.
The research followed nearly 28,000 adults in Malmö, Sweden, for up to 25 years. It found that people who regularly ate high-fat cheese—such as cheddar, Brie, or Gouda—had a slightly lower risk of developing dementia later in life. Those who consumed small amounts of high-fat cream also showed a modest benefit.
Sounds promising, right? Not so fast.
What the study actually found
According to the study, published in the journal Neurology:
- People who ate 50 grams (about 2 ounces) of high-fat cheese daily had a 13% lower risk of dementia compared to those who ate very little.
- Those consuming around 1.4 tablespoons of high-fat cream per day had a 16% lower risk than people who consumed none.
The lead researcher, Dr. Emily Sonestedt of Lund University, stressed an important point:
This study does not prove that cheese or cream prevents dementia. It only shows a possible association.
Why experts urge caution
Several independent experts say the findings are weak and uncertain.
- Dr. Walter Willett of Harvard University pointed out that the results were barely statistically significant and could simply be due to chance.
- The study also measured participants’ diets only once, at the beginning in 1991, without tracking changes over the next two decades—an important limitation.
- When researchers reanalyzed a smaller group whose diets were reviewed again after five years, the supposed benefits disappeared.
In short, the evidence isn’t strong enough to recommend eating more full-fat dairy for brain health.
Is cheese really “protective”?
Another key insight came from Dr. Tian-Shin Yeh of Taipei Medical University, who noted that the benefits appeared mainly when cheese replaced less healthy foods, such as processed or fatty red meats.
So it’s likely not that high-fat cheese is especially good for the brain—but that it may be less harmful than poorer food choices.
What about heart health?
This is where things get tricky. Foods high in saturated fat, including full-fat dairy, have long been linked to heart disease and early death. That’s why many doctors hesitate to promote high-fat cheese as a “brain food,” despite the study’s findings.
The role of overall health
Experts also noticed that people who chose low-fat dairy tended to already have health problems like diabetes or heart disease. According to Dr. David Katz, this suggests dementia risk may be more about overall metabolic health, not dairy fat alone.
Why results may differ outside Sweden
Another factor is how dairy is produced. Swedish cows are more likely to be grass-fed, which increases levels of omega-3 fatty acids—known to support brain health.
However, Dr. Richard Isaacson, a neurologist specializing in Alzheimer’s research, warned that:
- Omega-3s benefit certain genetic groups more than others.
- The study’s results were inconsistent with what’s already known.
- Processed cheese and fast-food dairy, common in the U.S., may not offer the same effects.
The bottom line
This study challenges the idea that all high-fat dairy is harmful—but it does not prove that cheese or cream can prevent dementia.
For now, experts agree on one thing:
A balanced diet rich in whole foods, good heart health, and healthy lifestyle habits remain the most reliable ways to protect your brain as you age.
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