What did the 25-year Swedish study find about dairy and dementia?

The study found that high-fat cheese and cream consumption was linked to a lower risk of dementia over 25 years.

Does low-fat dairy help prevent dementia according to the study?

No, the study indicated that low-fat cheese, low-fat cream, and milk showed no clear association with reduced dementia risk.

Are there genetic factors influencing dairy's effect on dementia, like APOE ε4?

Yes, individuals with the APOE ε4 genetic variant did not appear to benefit from any type of dairy intake in the study.

Home / Health / Full-Fat Dairy Linked to Lower Dementia Risk

Full-Fat Dairy Linked to Lower Dementia Risk

18 Dec, 2025

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Summary

High-fat cheese and cream consumption correlated with reduced dementia risk.
Low-fat dairy and butter showed no clear association with dementia.
Genetic variant APOE ε4 may influence dairy's impact on brain health.

Full-Fat Dairy Linked to Lower Dementia Risk

A recent 25-year Swedish study involving nearly 28,000 participants suggests a potential link between consuming high-fat dairy and a reduced risk of dementia. Individuals who regularly ate substantial amounts of full-fat cheese and cream exhibited a lower overall risk of cognitive decline, including vascular dementia. The findings were published in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

The study indicated that consuming 50 grams or more of high-fat cheese daily, or at least 20 grams of high-fat cream, was associated with these positive outcomes. Conversely, no clear benefits were observed for low-fat cheese, low-fat cream, butter, or milk, regardless of fat content. Researchers hypothesize that fermentation processes in cheese may produce beneficial compounds, while cream is often incorporated into meals, differing from milk consumption patterns.