• A large new study suggests that eating more full-fat cheese and cream may be linked to a lower risk of developing dementia later in life.
• High-fat cheeses are defined as containing more than 20% fat and include familiar varieties such as cheddar, Brie and Gouda.
• Participants who ate 50 grams or more of high-fat cheese each day had a 13% lower risk of dementia compared with those who ate less than 15 grams daily.
• People who consumed at least 20 grams of high-fat cream per day also showed a reduced dementia risk, about 16% lower than those who did not consume cream.
• Researchers found no similar link for low-fat cheese, low-fat cream, milk, butter or fermented milk products.
• Scientists emphasize that more research is needed to confirm these findings and to better understand whether certain high-fat dairy foods could help support brain health.

Full-Fat Dairy and Dementia Risk

People who eat higher amounts of full-fat cheese and cream may be less likely to develop dementia later in life, according to a new study published on December 17, 2025, in Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The findings point to a connection between these foods and dementia risk, but they do not prove that eating high-fat dairy prevents dementia. Instead, the study identifies an association.

High-fat cheeses are defined as having more than 20% fat and include common types such as cheddar, Brie and Gouda. High-fat creams generally contain 30-40% fat and include whipping cream, double cream and clotted cream. In grocery stores, these products are often sold as "full-fat" or "regular" options.

"For decades, the debate over high-fat versus low-fat diets has shaped health advice, sometimes even categorizing cheese as an unhealthy food to limit," said Emily Sonestedt, PhD, of Lund University, Sweden "Our study found that some high-fat dairy products may actually lower the risk of dementia, challenging some long-held assumptions about fat and brain health."

How the Study Followed Participants Over Time

The research team analyzed dietary and health data from 27,670 adults in Sweden. At the beginning of the study, participants were an average of 58 years old. They were followed for about 25 years, during which time 3,208 people were diagnosed with dementia.

To track eating habits, participants recorded everything they consumed over the course of one week. They also answered questions about how frequently they ate specific foods during the previous several years and discussed their food preparation methods with researchers.

Cheese Intake and Dementia Outcomes

One part of the analysis focused on daily consumption of high-fat cheese. Researchers compared people who ate 50 grams or more per day with those who ate less than 15 grams per day. Fifty grams of cheese is roughly equal to two slices of cheddar or about half a cup of shredded cheese and is approximately 1.8 ounces. A typical serving of cheese is one ounce.