A recent study has revealed that high-fat cheese and cream might play a role in preventing dementia.
This research, published in Neurology The Medical Journal of the American Academy of Neurology, indicates that individuals consuming two servings of high-fat cheese daily as part of a balanced diet had a lower likelihood of developing dementia.
“For decades, discussions surrounding high-fat versus low-fat diets have influenced health guidance, often branding cheese as an unhealthy option,” remarked Dr. Emily Sonnestedt, the study’s lead author and an associate professor at Lund University in Sweden.
“Our findings suggest that certain high-fat dairy products might actually diminish the risk of dementia, thereby challenging longstanding beliefs about fat and cognitive health.”
The study evaluated data from 27,670 older adults, monitoring their health over an approximate span of 25 years to identify who developed dementia.
Researchers also requested participants to track their dietary intake for a week and assess any changes in their eating habits over recent years.
Results showed that individuals consuming a nutritious diet with at least 50 g (1.8 oz) of high-fat cheese per day had a 13 percent reduced risk of dementia compared to those who ingested less than 15 g (0.5 oz).
Focusing on vascular dementia, a condition characterized by insufficient blood flow to the brain, cheese consumers experienced a 29% lower risk.
Additionally, participants consuming 20 grams (0.7 ounces) of heavy cream—such as whipped cream, clotted cream, or double cream—had a 16 percent decreased risk of dementia.
Conversely, no similar association was found with low-fat cheese, cream, or other dairy products.
“These findings imply that not all dairy items equate when it comes to cognitive health,” stated Sonestedt.
An essential factor in this study is its execution in Sweden, where cheese is frequently consumed uncooked.
When cheese is melted, its composition transforms and the fat separates, potentially influencing how our bodies absorb it.
The researchers advocate for similar studies in other nations since outcomes might differ in places like the United States, where cheese is often heated prior to consumption.
“Additional research is essential to verify our findings and explore whether specific high-fat dairy products truly offer some level of protection for brain health.”
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
