Fatty dairy products turned out to be safer than previously thought

Unexpected discovery: fatty cheeses and cream may reduce the risk of dementia, according to a large-scale study in Sweden. However, scientists urge caution in interpreting the results and remind about the importance of a balanced diet. This is reported by The Conversation portal.

The impressive study covered 27,700 participants and lasted a quarter of a century. During this period, dementia was diagnosed in 3,200 people. The analysis results were unexpected: people without a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease who consumed more than 50g of fatty cheese daily had a 13-17% lower risk of developing the disease. A similar trend was observed among cream lovers - consumption of more than 20g of high-fat cream per day was associated with a 16-24% reduction in the overall risk of dementia.

Interestingly, this pattern was not confirmed for carriers of genetic risk factors. Scientists also found no connection between cognitive health and consumption of milk of any fat content, low-fat cream, or fermented dairy products.

The discovery is particularly interesting against the backdrop of long-standing recommendations to limit consumption of fatty dairy products due to their presumed impact on the cardiovascular system. However, current data increasingly suggests that cheese and other foods rich in saturated fats do not necessarily increase the risk of heart disease, which is closely linked to the likelihood of developing dementia.

Researchers note the importance of the replacement factor in the diet: the possible benefits of cheese and cream may be a consequence of giving up processed meat, rather than an independent effect of dairy fats. It is also noteworthy that participants who consumed more cheese typically had a higher level of education, were less likely to suffer from obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases - factors that themselves reduce the risk of dementia.

Scientists emphasize that cheese contains many substances necessary for brain function, including vitamins A, D, K2, B12, as well as iodine, zinc, and selenium. However, this does not mean that fatty dairy products should be considered as a means of preventing dementia.

The study confirms that moderate consumption of whole dairy products is not associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment. But the main conclusion remains unchanged: for brain health, the decisive factor is not an individual product, but a comprehensive approach - a varied diet, physical activity, and control of risk factors.