Debunked: Popular Myth About the Harm of Fatty Dairy Products

Consumption of fatty cheeses and cream in middle and old age may be associated with a lower risk of dementia, according to a large Swedish study. However, the authors emphasized that this is not about a direct protective effect of these products - the results require careful interpretation and do not override the principles of a balanced diet. This is reported by The Conversation portal.

The study covered 27,700 people who were monitored for 25 years. During this time, dementia was diagnosed in 3,200 participants. Analysis showed that in people without a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease, consumption of more than 50 g of fatty cheese per day was associated with a 13-17% reduction in disease risk. Similar associations were found for cream: consumption of more than 20 g of high-fat cream per day was associated with a 16-24% reduction in the overall risk of dementia.

However, such patterns were not found in carriers of genetic risk factors. The study also did not find a link between cognitive health and milk consumption - regardless of fat content, as well as low-fat cream and fermented dairy products.

These results appear particularly noteworthy against the backdrop of long-standing recommendations to limit fatty dairy products due to cardiovascular risks. However, more and more data indicates that cheese and other products with saturated fats do not necessarily increase the risk of heart disease, and cardiovascular health is closely linked to the risk of dementia.

Product substitution may also play an important role: the potential benefits of cheese and cream may reflect the rejection of processed meat, rather than an independent effect of dairy fats. In addition, participants with higher cheese consumption were on average more educated, less likely to have obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases - factors that themselves reduce the risk of dementia.

Researchers noted that cheese contains a number of nutrients important 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.

Overall, the data confirms that moderate consumption of whole dairy products is not associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment. But the main conclusion remains the same: for brain health, the overall diet and lifestyle - with diverse nutrition, physical activity, and control of risk factors - are more important than individual products.