In everyday life, many encounter conflicting advice about diet and health.
Fat in particular has long been a controversial topic, both in relation to heart health and overall well-being.
At the same time, dementia has become a growing challenge as the population ages, increasing interest in whether diet may play a role in its prevention.
Fat in focus
For many years, official dietary guidelines have recommended low-fat dairy products over full-fat options.
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Nevertheless, research in recent years has raised questions about whether all fats should be treated equally.
According to Medical News Today, this debate forms the background to a major Swedish study on dairy products and the risk of dementia.
The study was not conducted to change dietary guidelines, but to examine whether certain foods may be linked to brain health over time.
What the study shows
The study was published in the scientific journal Neurology.
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Researchers followed a large group of Swedes over many years and compared their dietary habits with the later development of dementia.
The results showed an association between the intake of full-fat cheese and cream and a lower incidence of dementia compared with people who did not consume these products.
However, the researchers emphasized that this is only an association and not proof that the foods themselves protect the brain.
A cautious conclusion
Emily Sonestedt from Lund University, one of the authors of the study, told Medical News Today that the findings challenge the perception that full-fat dairy products are always harmful.
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She stressed, however, that diet must be viewed as a whole.
Dietitian Michelle Routhenstein, also cited by Medical News Today, points out that vegetables, whole grains, and fish still have the strongest evidence when it comes to brain health.
Sources: Medical News Today, and Neurology.
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