Does high-fat dairy reduce the risk of dementia? – Muscle and fitness

Cold weather, Thanksgiving and the upcoming holidays are a time when many gym-goers cut themselves some slack and indulge in a generous helping of high-fat treats like cheese and cream, but while indulging in too many calories can derail your weight-loss goals, experts have found a surprisingly positive link between these foods and a reduced risk of dementia. The new study, conducted by the American Academy of Neurologylooked at cream and cheeses with more than 20% fat, including favorites like cheddar, brie and gouda. And although experts have not yet been able to establish the link between these products and a reduced risk of dementia, the connection is clear.

How was the research conducted?

Researchers observed the health and dietary habits of a group of more than 25,000 Swedish adults, starting with an average age of 58 years. The individuals were then followed for approximately 25 years. In one aspect of the study, scientists compared those who ate about 50 grams of low-fat cheese, which is about two slices of cheddar per day, with people who consumed less than 15 grams. They also looked at those who ate 20 grams or more per day of full-fat cream. That’s about 1.4 tablespoons and up, compared to those who didn’t consume any cream at all.

What were the results?

The research team concluded that those who ate a greater amount of high-fat cheese had an average 13% lower risk of dementia. The association was even more surprising when we focused on the risks of vascular dementia, where a 29% lower risk was observed. Those who ate at least 1.4 tablespoons of cream were associated with a 16% lower risk of dementia, compared to those who abstained.

“These findings suggest that when it comes to brain health, not all dairy is equal,” said Emily Sonestedt, a Ph.D. works at Lund University in Sweden. “Although eating more high-fat cheese and cream was associated with a reduced risk of dementia, other dairy products and low-fat alternatives did not show the same effect. More research is needed to confirm our study results and further investigate whether consuming certain high-fat dairy products really does provide some level of protection for the brain.”

Although high-fat dairy must be balanced with individual energy needs due to its caloric density and potentially high sodium content, there is no doubt that cheese also offers many health benefits, including high levels of protein, calcium and minerals such as zinc. “Debates over high-fat versus low-fat diets have shaped health advice for decades, sometimes even categorizing cheese as an unhealthy food that should be limited,” Sonestedt said. “Our research found that some high-fat dairy products can actually reduce the risk of dementia, challenging some long-held assumptions about fat and brain health.”

Scientists emphasize that while this study provides plenty of ‘food for thought’, further research is needed to better understand the link between high-fat foods and brain health.