Most people think of cheese as a comfort food — something you reach for on a lazy Sunday or sprinkle on pasta without much thought.
But new research from Japan suggests that your weekly cheese habit could be doing more than just satisfying cravings — it might actually help protect your brain as you age.
Small bites, big benefits
A large-scale Japanese study found that older adults who ate cheese at least once a week had a lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who didn’t.
The researchers, from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES), tracked nearly 8,000 people aged 65 and over for three years and discovered that cheese lovers were about 20–25% less likely to be diagnosed with dementia during that time.
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What makes cheese brain-friendly
Unlike sugary or processed snacks, cheese contains nutrients that may support the brain in subtle but powerful ways. Scientists point to:
- Vitamin Kâ‚‚: helps protect blood vessels in the brain.
- Peptides and probiotics: may reduce inflammation linked to neurodegeneration.
- Healthy fats: support cell membranes and communication between neurons.
Interestingly, even processed cheese — the most commonly consumed type in Japan — seemed to offer some protective benefits, although natural cheeses like Camembert may contain more active compounds.
A culture shift with surprising results
While Japan is not traditionally known for dairy consumption, the researchers noted that even a modest weekly intake made a measurable difference.
The findings suggest that adding small amounts of fermented dairy to one’s diet could be an accessible way to support cognitive health — especially in aging societies where dementia rates are climbing sharply.
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More research ahead
The study’s authors, including a team funded in part by Japan’s Meiji Co., Ltd., emphasized that more evidence is needed before declaring cheese a brain-boosting miracle food.
Factors such as portion size, cheese type, and overall diet still need to be explored. But as dementia cases continue to rise globally, this research adds to growing evidence that nutrition — even something as simple as a slice of cheese — may help preserve cognitive function.
Artiklen er baseret pĂĄ informationer MDPI
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