New Long-Term Study Strengthens the Link Between Cheese Consumption and Reduced Dementia Risk

As global dementia rates continue to rise, nutrition science is increasingly focused on identifying dietary patterns that support long-term brain health. Over the past decade, dairy—particularly cheese—has emerged as a recurring area of interest. Now, a newly published large-scale prospective study adds further weight to this growing body of evidence, reinforcing the credibility of earlier findings and helping to clarify which dairy foods may matter most.

A 25-Year Study Offers New Clarity

Published in Neurology, this new research followed more than 27,000 adults in Sweden for up to 25 years, making it one of the longest and most comprehensive investigations to date into dairy intake and dementia risk. Researchers examined detailed dietary records alongside national health registry data to assess how different types of dairy—distinguished by fat content—related to the long-term development of dementia.

The key finding: higher consumption of high-fat cheese was consistently associated with a lower risk of all-cause dementia, including vascular dementia. Participants consuming at least 50 grams per day of high-fat cheese showed a statistically significant reduction in dementia risk compared to those with minimal intake. High-fat cream also demonstrated an inverse association, while low-fat dairy products and milk showed no protective effect.

These findings closely align with earlier reporting on the Ingredient Solutions blog, including coverage of research suggesting that cheese may help lower dementia risk

Importantly, the new study’s associations persisted even after adjusting for lifestyle factors, education, cardiovascular health, and overall diet quality—strengthening confidence that the results are not simply explained by healthier lifestyles overall.

Building on a Growing Evidence Base

While this study is notable for its size and duration, it does not stand alone. Over recent years, Ingredient Solutions has highlighted a growing number of studies pointing toward a relationship between cheese consumption and cognitive health.

For example, earlier Japanese research suggested that regular cheese intake may slow age-related cognitive decline, particularly in older adults

Additional studies have linked cheese consumption with better mental health outcomes and healthier aging, further supporting the idea that dairy’s benefits extend beyond bone and muscle health

Specific cheese types have also attracted attention. Research into Camembert has suggested it may act as a natural ally in cognitive health, potentially due to bioactive compounds produced during fermentation

Together, these findings paint a consistent picture: cheese appears to behave differently from other dairy products when it comes to cognitive outcomes. The newly published Swedish cohort study strengthens this narrative by offering:

Long-term data spanning multiple decades
Clear differentiation between high-fat and low-fat dairy
Analysis of dementia subtypes
Insights into genetic factors such as APOE ε4 status

This level of depth helps move the discussion from isolated findings toward a more robust, converging evidence base.

Why Might Cheese Support Cognitive Health?

While observational studies cannot establish cause and effect, researchers continue to explore plausible biological mechanisms. Cheese is a complex food matrix containing nutrients increasingly associated with brain health, including:

Structurally important fats
Vitamin K2, which has been linked to vascular and cognitive function
Bioactive peptides formed during fermentation
Potential interactions with the gut–brain axis

Previous Ingredient Solutions articles have explored these mechanisms in the context of cheese protecting against age-related cognitive problems, highlighting how fermentation and fat composition may play a role

Notably, the absence of protective effects from low-fat cheese in the new study challenges long-held assumptions about dairy fat. This echoes earlier discussions on the blog around the importance of food structure and nutrient delivery, rather than fat reduction alone.

Implications for Healthy Aging and Nutrition Strategy

From a nutrition and ingredient perspective, the implications are increasingly relevant. As populations age, interest in foods that support cognitive resilience continues to grow. Cheese and dairy ingredients—particularly fermented and full-fat formats—are now supported by a more credible and consistent scientific foundation.

This aligns with broader findings previously covered by Ingredient Solutions, including evidence that regular cheese and wine consumption may help prevent cognitive decline when part of balanced dietary patterns

It also complements research showing that dairy plays a role in reducing malnutrition risk in older adults, reinforcing its value in aging populations beyond cognition alone

A Converging Scientific Narrative

Taken together, this newly published study adds meaningful momentum to an already compelling body of research. When findings from different countries, study designs, and populations begin pointing in the same direction, confidence naturally increases.

While further research—particularly randomized controlled trials—will continue to refine our understanding, the message is becoming clearer: cheese, when consumed as part of a balanced diet, may play a supportive role in long-term cognitive health.

For Ingredient Solutions, this reinforces our commitment to evidence-based nutrition and to helping customers translate credible science into practical, market-ready ingredient solutions.

Reference

Du Y, Borné Y, Samuelsson J, et al. High- and Low-Fat Dairy Consumption and Long-Term Risk of Dementia: Evidence From a 25-Year Prospective Cohort Study. Neurology. 2026;106:e214343. du-et-al-2025-high-and-low-fat-…