Cheese and Cream: Unexpected Brain Protectors?

A recent study from Sweden has found that eating more high-fat cheese and cream might actually lower the risk of dementia. This is a surprising twist, as many people think of these foods as unhealthy. The study followed nearly 28, 000 people for 25 years. It found that those who ate about a third of a cup of high-fat cheese or one and a half tablespoons of high-fat cream daily had a lower risk of dementia. This includes vascular dementia, which is caused by poor blood flow to the brain. But not all dairy is the same. Low-fat cheese, low-fat cream, butter, and milk did not show the same benefits. This makes sense when you think about how these foods are made and used. Cheese is fermented, which creates compounds that might help with inflammation and blood vessels. Cream is usually used in home-cooked meals, not eaten alone in large amounts. Milk, on the other hand, is consumed in different ways and doesn't go through the same fermentation process.The quality of the dairy also matters. Cows that eat grass their whole lives produce milk with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids. These are good for the brain, especially for people at risk of cognitive decline. However, not everyone benefits from dairy. People with a genetic variant called APOE ε4 did not see the same benefits. This suggests that dietary advice for brain health might need to be personalized. But before you rush to eat more cheese and cream, remember that this study doesn't prove that these foods prevent dementia. They might just be part of a broader healthy lifestyle. The study also doesn't mean you should eat large amounts of high-fat cheese and cream. It's always best to enjoy these foods in moderation.