Just Eating Cheese Once a Week... Dementia Risk Drops Significantly

Three-year study of 8,000 participants
Protein and other nutrients in cheese help slow cognitive decline

A study has found that eating cheese more than once a week can significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia. Photo by Pixabay

A study has found that consistently consuming cheese more than once a week can significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia. People who frequently eat cheese were found to have up to a 24% lower probability of developing dementia compared to those who do not.

According to the Daily Mail in the United Kingdom on October 28 (local time), a team of Japanese researchers recently published the results of a study involving about 8,000 participants in the international journal 'Nutrients.' Half of the participants did not eat cheese at all, while the other half consumed cheese at least once a week.

Three-year follow-up of 8,000 people... Cheese-eating group showed a 24% lower risk of dementia

After three years, those who ate cheese had a 24% lower probability of developing dementia compared to those who did not. At the end of the study period, 3.39% of the cheese eaters were diagnosed with dementia, compared to 4.45% of those who did not eat cheese.

The researchers explained, "Even after accounting for other dietary factors such as fruit, vegetables, meat, and fish intake, the correlation between cheese consumption and lower dementia risk remained valid." They added that, after statistical adjustments, cheese eaters still had about a 21% lower probability of developing dementia. The research team further stated, "This finding is consistent with previous research suggesting that dairy products may help prevent dementia."

A study has found that eating cheese more than once a week can significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia. Photo by Pixabay

The most commonly consumed cheese among participants was processed cheese (82.7%), followed by white mold cheeses such as Camembert and Brie (7.8%). Processed cheese, a popular type made by blending milk and emulsifiers, includes individually wrapped cheese slices and cream cheeses such as Philadelphia.

Proteins, Vitamin K2, and Probiotics in Cheese Help Prevent Cognitive Decline

The researchers analyzed that the abundant proteins, essential amino acids, vitamin K2, antioxidants, and probiotics found in cheese have neuroprotective effects. They explained, "Proteins and amino acids help alleviate nerve cell damage, while vitamin K2 maintains vascular health and calcium balance in the blood, thereby helping prevent cognitive decline." However, the researchers cautioned, "As this is an observational study, we cannot definitively conclude that cheese consumption directly prevents dementia," adding that further research is needed to clarify the exact causal relationship.

These results are consistent with previous studies. In a past study by a Japanese research team that tracked 1,500 seniors aged 65 and older for two years, those who regularly ate cheese scored higher on cognitive tests than those who did not consume cheese.

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