A 25-year study found an unexpected link between cheese and dementia

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Source: ScienceDaily Health

Original: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260203030540.htm...

Published: Wed, 04 Feb 2026 09:44:17 EST

A Swedish study followed nearly 28,000 people over 25 years and found a link between full-fat dairy products and brain health.[1] Among adults without a genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease, higher consumption of full-fat cheese was associated with a lower risk of developing the disease.[1] Higher cream intake was associated with a reduced overall risk of dementia.[1] Researchers analyzed data from approximately 8,000 adults age 65 and older.[1] At the end of the study, 3.4 percent of people who ate cheese were diagnosed with dementia, compared to 4.45 percent of those who did not.[1] People who ate cheese at least once a week were 24 percent less likely to develop dementia over three years than those who did not eat cheese.[1] Eating 50 grams or more of full-fat cheese per day was correlated with a lower risk of dementia.[2] The study is observational and shows association, not causation.[1]