Cheese brain
Dementia is a growing global health concern. Experts project it will affect more than 150 million people worldwide by 2050. Japan, one of the world’s fastest-ageing societies, faces a particularly sharp rise. In 2022, about 4.4 million older adults in Japan lived with dementia. By 2040, researchers expect this number to reach 5.8 million.
As cases increase, healthcare systems and families face mounting pressure. At the same time, curative treatments remain limited. Because of this, prevention strategies now focus heavily on modifiable lifestyle factors. Diet has emerged as one promising area.
Why Diet Matters for Brain Health
Researchers increasingly recognise nutrition as a key influence on cognitive ageing. Certain foods appear to affect inflammation, metabolism, and vascular health. These processes all play roles in dementia development.
Among these foods, dairy products have attracted attention. Cheese, in particular, contains compounds that may support brain health.
What Makes Cheese Interesting to Researchers
Cheese provides bioactive components such as vitamin K2, peptides, and probiotics. These nutrients may help reduce inflammation and support metabolic function. Some studies suggest they could protect neural tissue. However, earlier research has produced mixed results, especially across different populations.
What the New Japanese Study Found
A recent study published in Nutrients examined whether cheese intake relates to dementia risk. Researchers analysed data from older adults in Japan aged 65 and above. They focused on people who ate cheese at least once a week.
The team used data from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES) 2019 survey. They linked this information to long-term care insurance records from 2022. Participants had no prior dementia diagnosis at the start of the study.
After careful matching for age, education, income, and health status, the analysis included 7,914 individuals. Half consumed cheese weekly. The other half did not.
Lower Dementia Risk Among Cheese Consumers
Over three years, dementia developed in 3.4% of cheese consumers. In contrast, 4.5% of non-consumers developed dementia. This difference translated to about 11 fewer cases per 1,000 people.
Statistical analysis showed that weekly cheese consumption linked to a 24% lower dementia risk. Even after adjusting for other dietary habits, the association remained significant. Researchers still observed a 21% reduction in risk.
Neural Connective Tissue
Strengths and Limitations of the Study
The study benefits from its large sample size and strong statistical controls. However, it also has limits. Researchers collected dietary data only once. They did not measure portion sizes or genetic risk factors. Dementia diagnoses relied on administrative records, which may lack clinical detail.
The authors also disclosed partial funding from a Japanese dairy company. Importantly, the funder had no role in study design or analysis.
What This Means for Older Adults
Overall, the findings suggest that modest cheese intake may support cognitive health. Eating cheese once or twice a week appeared sufficient to show an association. Still, researchers stress the need for further studies. Future work should examine optimal intake levels, cheese types, and biological mechanisms.
For now, this research adds to growing evidence that dietary choices may influence brain ageing. Even small, regular habits could matter over time.
Conclusion: What Should We Take Away?
While cheese is not a cure for dementia, this new research suggests it may play a supportive role in brain health when consumed in moderation. The findings highlight how everyday dietary choices can influence cognitive ageing over time. As with all nutrition research, cheese should be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet rather than relied upon as a single solution. Further studies will help clarify who benefits most and how different types of cheese may affect brain health. PRIME