Does High-Fat Dairy Help or Hurt Brain Health? Scientists Weigh In

A new long-term study from Sweden has reignited debate over whether high-fat dairy, particularly cheese, could influence brain health.

Researchers followed nearly 28,000 adults in Malmö for up to 25 years and found that participants who consumed higher amounts of full-fat cheese appeared to have a slightly lower risk of developing dementia compared with those who ate very little. The findings were published in the journal Neurology.

However, outside experts urge caution. The study relied largely on dietary data collected at a single point in time, making it difficult to account for how eating habits changed over decades. When researchers reanalyzed a smaller group whose diets were tracked again years later, the association between high-fat dairy and reduced dementia risk was no longer statistically significant.

Specialists also note that the apparent benefit may reflect what cheese replaces in the diet. High-fat cheese may be a less harmful alternative to processed or high-fat red meats, rather than a food that actively protects the brain. Importantly, the study found no similar benefit from butter, milk, yogurt, or low-fat dairy products.

Researchers emphasize that the results should not be interpreted as encouragement to increase saturated fat intake. More studies across different populations and diets are needed before drawing firm conclusions about dairy and brain health.