A recent study conducted in Sweden suggests that high-fat dairy consumption may be associated with a lower risk of dementia. Researchers from Lund University analyzed data from the Malmö Diet and Cancer cohort, which included 27,670 adults aged between 45 and 73. The study, which followed participants for an average of 25 years, provides insights into the potential protective effects of certain high-fat dairy products against dementia.
The research team gathered detailed dietary data through interviews and food diaries. They classified dairy products into high-fat and low-fat categories, defining high-fat cheese as containing more than 20% fat and high-fat cream as more than 30% fat. Participants were enrolled in the study between 1991 and 1996 and were monitored for various health outcomes.
Among the findings, individuals who consumed at least 20 grams per day of high-fat cream exhibited approximately a 16% lower risk of developing all-cause dementia compared to those who did not consume high-fat dairy. Notably, participants who ingested at least 50 grams of high-fat cheese daily also showed reduced dementia risk.
Insights from the Research
During the study, a total of 3,208 participants were diagnosed with dementia. Those who consumed higher amounts of high-fat cheese were less likely to develop dementia, particularly vascular dementia. Emily Sonestedt, an associate professor of nutritional epidemiology at Lund University, remarked, “We were a bit surprised to see a lower dementia risk among people who ate more high-fat cheese.” She noted that while the results were unexpected, a link with vascular dementia was not entirely unforeseen.
Most other dairy products, including low-fat cheese and milk, did not show a significant association with dementia risk. The exception was high butter intake, which was linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease, particularly in participants who consumed at least 40 grams per day.
The study’s methodology included adjustments for various factors such as age, sex, education, lifestyle habits, and overall diet quality to ensure that the findings were robust. However, Sonestedt cautioned about the limitations inherent in observational studies, stating that while the results are intriguing, they cannot definitively establish causality.
Considerations and Limitations
The Swedish context of the study may influence the applicability of its findings to other countries. Participants primarily consumed hard, fermented cheeses, which may differ significantly from dairy products in other regions. Additionally, the dietary data was collected only once, meaning that changes in eating habits over time were not captured.
As the research relied on self-reported food intake and observational data, the potential for unmeasured variables influencing the outcomes exists. The study did not validate dementia diagnoses after 2014 in detail, and baseline cognitive status was not evaluated, which may hinder the interpretation of some findings.
Despite these limitations, the results were published in the journal Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Researchers emphasized that while high-fat dairy may contribute to a broader eating pattern that supports brain health, concluding that it directly prevents dementia would be premature.
In conclusion, the findings offer a thought-provoking perspective on dietary choices and their potential long-term effects on cognitive health. Further research is needed to explore these associations in diverse populations and to clarify the mechanisms involved.
