According to a Japanese study, participants who ate cheese at least once a week had a 24% lower risk of developing dementia within three years about ten fewer cases per thousand people. Even moderate consumption made a difference.
Eating cheese at least once a week was associated with a lower risk of developing dementia during a three-year follow-up among older adults in Japan, according to a large-scale study that examined thousands of people aged 65 and older and followed them from 2019 to 2022. Researchers found that those who ate cheese regularly, even in small amounts once a week, had about a 24% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who did not consume cheese at all.
The study, published in the journal Nutrients, was conducted in Japan and included 7,914 adults aged 65 and older. Researchers relied on a large national survey conducted in 2019 and linked participants’ responses to long-term care insurance records from 2022, allowing follow-up over three years to see who developed dementia and who did not.
Half of the participants ate cheese at least once a week, and the other half almost never ate it. Most cheese eaters (about 72%) consumed 1-2 servings of cheese per week, mostly processed cheese (about 83%). only 3.4% developed dementia, compared to 4.45% of. This may seem minor only 1% but it means about ten fewer cases of dementia per thousand people.
Statistical analyses showed that the risk of dementia was about 24% lower among those who ate cheese, and even after accounting for other dietary habits, the advantage remained. On average, cheese eaters enjoyed seven additional dementia-free days during the follow-up period, and statistical graphs clearly showed that even moderate cheese consumption was associated with a lower risk of memory loss.
How Diet May Influence Dementia Risk
Among other factors affecting dementia risk, diet also plays an important role. The Japanese study found that eating cheese reduces the risk of dementia by about 24%. Possible explanations include that cheese provides essential nutrients for the brain and body, and studies show that diet affects inflammatory processes and the composition of the gut microbiome.
However, it is important to note that this was an observational study only, so causality cannot be established. Additionally, the Japanese diet differs significantly from Western diets, and this effect may be unique to the studied population.
As life expectancy increases and more people reach older ages, age-related diseases, particularly neurological ones, are becoming more common. Dementia is a major problem affecting both the patient and their family. Many factors influence the risk of dementia, some of which are modifiable, allowing risk reduction.
One important factor linked to increased dementia risk is loneliness and sensory impairment, such as reduced hearing or vision. Correcting these issues through glasses, cataract surgery, and strengthening social connections with family and community can significantly reduce risk.
It is important to balance and prevent vascular diseases that may damage brain tissue for example, by preventing and controlling diabetes, high blood pressure, and high blood lipid levels. Overall, maintaining physical and brain health from a young age through cognitive, physical, and social activity, proper diet, regular medical monitoring, and risk factor management is essential.
Nutritional Values of Cheese
Researchers suggested several possible explanations for how cheese may affect the brain. Cheese contains proteins and amino acids that help nerve cells remain healthy, as well as fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin K2, important for vascular health and calcium regulation in the brain. Fermented cheeses may contain “good” bacteria and active compounds that influence body inflammation and gut-brain communication the so-called gut-brain axis.
Previous studies also showed that fermented dairy products are linked to a lower risk of heart disease and metabolic problems, which are also related to dementia.
However, this is an observational study only. Researchers did not measure exactly how much cheese was consumed, only frequency, and genetic factors were not examined. Dementia was measured using administrative records, without distinguishing disease types. Therefore, it cannot be said that cheese “prevents” dementia, only that there is a certain association.
Even though the effect seems small, considering that over 50 million people worldwide live with dementia a number expected to triple by 2050 even a small change in population dietary habits could have a significant global impact.