Eating cheese just once a week could lower your risk of developing dementia, a new study suggests.
Japanese scientists looked at nearly 8,000 participants, half of whom consumed no cheese, and half who ate it at least once a week.
They discovered after three years those who consumed cheese were 24 per cent less likely to develop dementia than non-cheese consumers.
By the end of the study 3.39 per cent of cheese consumers developed dementia, compared to 4.45 per cent of non-consumers.
The team also took into account dietary habits like how much fruit, vegetable, meat or fish they consumed.
After factoring these in, they found cheese consumption was still linked to a 21 per cent lower risk of the illness.
While this is slightly weaker, they still found this to be statistically significant, suggesting it could offer protection.
Writing in the journal Nutrients, they said: ‘Our findings align with previous evidence suggesting dairy products may play a supportive role in dementia prevention.’
Eating cheese at least once a week could help you stave off dementia, new research suggests
The most common type of cheese that consumers ate was processed (82.7 per cent) followed by white mould cheese (7.8 per cent).
Processed cheese is defined as cheese made with milk and other emulsifiers, an example would be an individually packaged cheese slice or spreadable cream cheeses such as Philadelphia.
A white mould cheese is the term for a soft cheese with a white skin, such as camembert or brie.
The scientists who discovered the recent findings suggested that the protective effect could be thanks to the nutrient profile of cheese.
They explained that cheese is rich in proteins, essential amino acids, vitamin K2, antioxidants, peptides, and probiotics.
These ‘proteins and essential amino acids’ they explained, ‘support neuronal maintenance’ which is the process of protecting neurons from damage.
Meanwhile the vitamin K, they said, ‘plays a role in vascular health’ and ‘calcium homeostasis’ – the process of maintaining stable calcium in the blood.
Previously studies have shown that heart problems like high cholesterol can raise a person’s risk of dementia.
Another study found having too much calcium from supplements in older women can raise risk of dementia.
Interestingly, a 2015 study found vitamin K2 can help lower the amount of calcium in the blood, hence reducing risk of associated illnesses.
Similarly other studies have found antioxidants, peptides – building blocks of proteins – and probiotics – good bacteria – are all linked to a lower risk of dementia.
However, they added that further research needs to be done before making definitive recommendations.
Previous research, also in Japan, found that eating cheese can help lower risk of developing dementia.
Researchers monitored the health and eating habits of more than 1,500 over-65s, and said those who regularly ate cheese scored better in cognitive tests.
Dementia is Britain’s biggest killer, with more than 944,000 people in the UK thought to be living with the memory-robbing illness. The figure is thought to be around seven million in the US.
An early diagnosis for dementia is considered critical, as while the condition is incurable, treatments can combat symptoms and sometimes slow progression.
But worryingly, it’s estimated that a third of those currently struggling with dementia are undiagnosed.
Classic symptoms of dementia include issues with memory, thinking speed, mental sharpness and quickness, language, understanding, judgement and mood.
However recent research found changes in sight, hearing, taste, touch and balance also strike years before more well-known symptoms.
While the illness has an impact on families individually, it also has an impact on the economy more widely.
Analysis by the Alzheimer’s Society estimated the overall annual cost of dementia to the UK is £42billion a year, with families bearing the brunt.
An ageing population means these costs—which include the lost earnings of unpaid carers—are set to soar to £90billion in the next 15 years.
Analysis by Alzheimer’s Research UK found 74,261 people died from dementia in 2022 compared with 69,178 a year earlier, making it the country’s biggest killer