Full-Fat Dairy and Dementia: What a Swedish Study Really Suggests

A long-running Swedish study has reported that higher consumption of full-fat cheese and cream was associated with a lower risk of dementia in certain groups, though researchers urge caution in interpreting the findings. The study followed 27,670 adults for 25 years, during which 3,208 developed dementia. Among participants without genetic susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease, eating more than 50 grams of full-fat cheese daily was linked to a 13%–17% lower Alzheimer’s risk. Consuming over 20 grams of full-fat cream daily was associated with a 16%–24% lower overall dementia risk. No similar associations were observed for milk or low-fat dairy products. Importantly, higher cheese intake was more common among individuals with healthier lifestyles and lower rates of cardiovascular conditions. Experts emphasize that overall dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet, and broader lifestyle habits likely explain much of the observed association rather than any single food.

14-02-2026