A recent Japanese study indicates that older adults who eat cheese at least once a week may have a lower risk of developing dementia compared with those who never consume cheese. Researchers say the findings align with previous observational studies suggesting that dairy intake may help slow cognitive decline in the elderly.
The study, commissioned by Japanese food company Meiji, analyzed data from 7,914 participants aged 65 and above. About half of the participants reported eating cheese at least once a week, while the other half did not consume any cheese.
Over a three-year follow-up period, 134 regular cheese eaters (3.4%) developed dementia, compared with 176 participants (4.5%) who never ate cheese. This translates to roughly 10–11 fewer cases per 1,000 people in the cheese-consuming group.
Food safety expert Wayne Yang noted that while the difference is modest and reflects a correlation rather than a direct cause-and-effect relationship, the study provides further insight into the link between diet and dementia risk, highlighting the broader connection between dietary habits and overall physical and mental health.
The research team from Niimi Public University, led by geriatric medicine researcher Zheng Chengyuan, concluded that their findings are consistent with earlier observational studies, reinforcing the association between dairy consumption and cognitive function in older adults.
