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That’s a good reason for treating yourself to a bite of cheddar!
A long-running debate about diet and cognitive health is taking a new turn. Fresh research suggests that foods long viewed with caution may deserve a second look.
Scientists examined whether everyday eating habits could be linked to dementia risk decades later. Their findings point to patterns, not proof, and raise new questions about what matters most for brain health.
The study was published on December 17, 2025, in Neurology, the journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Challenging old views
Researchers focused on full-fat cheese and cream, products often labelled as indulgent. High-fat cheeses include varieties such as cheddar, Brie and Gouda, while high-fat creams include whipping and double cream.
“For decades, the debate over high-fat versus low-fat diets has shaped health advice, sometimes even categorizing cheese as an unhealthy food to limit,” said Emily Sonestedt, PhD, of Lund University, Sweden. “Our study found that some high-fat dairy products may actually lower the risk of dementia, challenging some long-held assumptions about fat and brain health.”
The study does not show that these foods prevent dementia. Instead, it identifies an association between consumption levels and later diagnoses.
Tracking diets over time
The analysis followed 27,670 adults in Sweden for around 25 years. Participants were about 58 years old at the start, and 3,208 developed dementia during follow-up.
Diet was assessed through detailed food diaries, long-term frequency questionnaires and interviews about meal preparation. Researchers then compared dementia outcomes across different levels of dairy intake.
People consuming at least 50 grams of high-fat cheese daily had lower dementia rates than those eating very small amounts. After adjustments, higher intake was linked to a 13% lower overall risk.
Uneven effects
The strongest association appeared for vascular dementia, where higher cheese consumption was tied to a 29% lower risk. A reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease was also seen, but only among people without the APOE e4 genetic variant.
High-fat cream showed a similar pattern. Daily consumption of about 20 grams was associated with a 16% lower dementia risk compared with none.
“These findings suggest that when it comes to brain health not all dairy is equal,” Sonestedt said. “While eating more high-fat cheese and cream was linked to 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 explore whether consuming certain high-fat dairy truly offers some level of protection for the brain.”
Study limits
All participants lived in Sweden, which may limit how widely the results apply. Dietary habits vary internationally, and researchers say similar studies are needed elsewhere.
The study was funded by several Swedish research foundations.
Sources: Neurology (American Academy of Neurology)
