Eating cheese once a week may lower dementia risk, study suggests

Eating Cheese Weekly May Reduce Dementia Risk

A recent Japanese study suggests that consuming cheese at least once a week could help lower the risk of developing dementia.

Study Overview

Researchers analyzed data from nearly 8,000 adults aged 65 and over to examine the relationship between cheese intake and cognitive health. Participants who regularly ate cheese were compared with those who rarely or never consumed it.

Key Findings

Regular cheese eaters were 24% less likely to develop dementia over three years than non-cheese eaters.
By the study's end, 3.4% of cheese consumers were diagnosed with dementia, compared to 4.45% of non-cheese consumers.
The difference of 1.06% equates to roughly 10 fewer dementia cases per 1,000 people.

Methodology

The study employed statistical matching to control for variables including age, sex, health status, and socioeconomic factors, enhancing the reliability of the findings.

Possible Biological Mechanisms

Cheese "contains proteins and essential amino acids that support neuronal maintenance, as well as fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin K2, which plays a role in vascular health and calcium homeostasis."

These nutrients could contribute to preserving brain function and reducing dementia risk.

Author's Summary

Consuming cheese weekly might modestly protect against dementia by providing key nutrients that support brain and vascular health.

Euronews.com — 2025-11-01