Study Finds: Cheese Consumption Linked to Lower Risk of Dementia

Enjoying a slice of Brie or a chunk of cheddar might do more than satisfy a craving — it could be linked to a lower risk of dementia, according to new research published on December 17 in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

The findings come from a long-term Swedish study that followed about 27,600 adults as part of the Malmö Diet and Cancer study. Participants, whose average age was 58 at the start, were tracked for roughly 25 years to examine how dietary habits related to dementia risk later in life.

Researchers found that people who ate at least 50 grams of high-fat cheese per day — roughly two slices of cheddar — had a 13% lower risk of developing dementia compared with those who consumed less than 15 grams daily. Similarly, participants who regularly consumed high-fat cream had about a 16% lower dementia risk than those who did not consume it at all.

Over the course of the study, about 12% of participants developed dementia. Among higher cheese consumers, however, that figure dropped to around 10%, compared with 13% among those who ate smaller amounts. High-fat cheese intake was also linked to a 29% lower risk of vascular dementia. A reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease was observed as well, but only in people who did not carry the APOE e4 gene, a known genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s.

Importantly, the researchers caution that these findings show an association — not proof that cheese or cream prevent dementia. Nutrition expert Emily Sonestedt of Lund University, a co-author of the study, emphasized that the results challenge the assumption that all high-fat dairy is harmful to brain health. For most people, she noted, moderate cheese consumption as part of a balanced diet does not appear to be dangerous and may even offer some benefit.

Not all dairy products showed the same relationship. Low-fat cheese, milk, butter, yogurt, and other fermented dairy products were not linked to reduced dementia risk, suggesting that dairy fat itself may not be the key factor, according tp USA Today.

Experts stress moderation and context. Cheese eaten alongside fruits, vegetables, or whole foods is very different from cheese paired with processed meats or fast food. While choosing cheese instead of highly processed options might be a small improvement, broader research consistently points to brain-friendly diets rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, fish, nuts, seeds, and olive oil.

Ultimately, researchers agree that cognitive health is best supported by overall dietary patterns — not by labeling single foods as “good” or “bad.”