Study links full-fat cheese to lower dementia risk

"A large new study suggests that eating more full-fat cheese and cream may be linked to a lower risk of developing dementia later in life. High-fat cheeses are defined as containing more than 20% fat and include familiar varieties such as cheddar, Brie and Gouda. Participants who ate 50 grams or more of high-fat cheese each day had a 13% lower risk of dementia compared with those who ate less than 15 grams daily."

"Full-Fat Dairy and Dementia Risk People who eat higher amounts of full-fat cheese and cream may be less likely to develop dementia later in life, according to a new study published on December 17, 2025, in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The findings point to a connection between these foods and dementia risk, but they do not prove that eating high-fat dairy prevents dementia. Instead, the study identifies an association."

A long-running cohort found that higher intake of full-fat cheese and cream was associated with lower dementia risk later in life. High-fat cheeses (>20% fat) include cheddar, Brie and Gouda; high-fat creams (30–40% fat) include whipping, double and clotted cream. Participants consuming 50 grams or more of high-fat cheese daily had a 13% lower dementia risk compared with those consuming less than 15 grams. Consuming at least 20 grams of high-fat cream daily was associated with about a 16% lower risk. No similar associations appeared for low-fat dairy, milk, butter or fermented milk. The findings are observational and do not establish causation; further research is required to confirm and explore mechanisms.

Read at ScienceDaily