Multiple news outlets reported on a recent Swedish study of nearly 28,000 adults that found those who regularly consumed high-fat cheese and cream had a lower risk of dementia. The study, “High and low fat dairy consumption and long-term risk of dementia,” is published in the journal Neurology.

WAI Director Cynthia Carlsson, PhD, spoke to the health news website Everyday Health about the study. Carlsson said with the holidays here, it’s reassuring to know a little indulgence might not be so bad. However, she said, the study participants’ dietary patterns were not tracked throughout the study period, and it’s unclear if their other lifestyle practices may also play a role.

“We have to put the potential benefits in context of overall lifestyle,” she said. “I wouldn’t necessarily make any quick diet changes and start eating more high-fat cheese, but the study shows that these foods may not necessarily have as many negative effects as we thought.”

Related Links:

“High fat cheese could be good for your brain” – Everyday Health, Dec. 17, 2025

“High and low fat dairy consumption and long-term risk of dementia” – Neurology, January 2026