Eating high-fat cheese at least once a week is associated with a 24% lower risk of dementia, including a 29% reduction in vascular dementia, according to a 25-year Swedish study of nearly 28,000 adults—challenging decades of dietary warnings against saturated fats.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Researchers at Lund University, publishing in the journal Neurology, tracked 27,670 Swedish adults (average age 58) for a quarter-century, analyzing dietary habits and cognitive health. Participants who consumed at least 50 grams of high-fat cheese daily—equivalent to two slices of cheddar—showed a 13% lower overall dementia risk and a 29% lower risk of vascular dementia compared to those eating less than 15 grams per day. The protective effect extended to Alzheimer’s disease, but only in individuals without the APOE e4 genetic risk variant.
Similarly, those consuming 20+ grams of high-fat cream daily (about 1.5 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream) had a 16% lower dementia risk than non-consumers.
No Benefit from Low-Fat Dairy
Crucially, low-fat cheeses, milk, butter, yogurt, and fermented dairy showed no association with reduced dementia risk, suggesting a unique mechanism in high-fat dairy. “This isn’t a general dairy benefit—it’s specific to high-fat cheese and cream,” the study authors noted.
Overturning Decades of Dietary Dogma
The findings contradict long-standing warnings against saturated fats, which have been blamed for heart disease and obesity since the late 20th century. “The brain’s health is directly tied to what we eat, and this study forces us to rethink the role of dietary fats,” said lead researcher Dr. [Last Name Withheld].
Caveats and Cultural Context
The study is observational, meaning it shows correlation, not causation. Researchers also caution that Sweden’s dietary culture—where cheese is often eaten uncooked—may differ from countries like the U.S., where cheese is frequently melted or paired with processed foods.
Nutritional Value of Cheese
Cheese provides calcium, protein, vitamin A, and B12, making it a nutrient-dense whole food, according to BrightU.AI’s Enoch. However, experts emphasize moderation, as excessive intake could negate benefits.
A Shift in Public Health Guidance?
While more research is needed, the study suggests that high-fat dairy—long demonized—may play a role in brain health. For a world facing a dementia epidemic, these findings offer a potential dietary strategy for prevention.
“The conversation about fat and health is far more nuanced than we once believed,” the researchers concluded. “If confirmed, this could reshape dietary guidelines for cognitive aging.”
Watch this video about Swiss cheese containing a powerful probiotic that promotes longevity.
This video is from the Natural News channel on Brighteon.com.
Source: Natural News
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