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Cheese Linked to 20% Lower Dementia Risk in Dutch Cohort Study

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  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/17 .. 0-lower-dementia-risk-in-dutch-cohort-study.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Monday, November 17th 2025 at 17:24 GMT by Food & Wine

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Cheese, Cognition, and the Quest for a Brain‑Healthy Diet: What the Latest Study Tells Us

Food & Wine’s recent feature on a large Dutch cohort study has sparked a fresh conversation about whether a slice of cheese could be a simple, tasty way to keep the mind sharp. The research, published in the Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, suggests that regular cheese consumption is linked to a 20 % lower risk of developing dementia over a 10‑year period. Below we unpack the study’s key findings, explore the biological clues that might explain the protective effect, and place the results in the context of existing diet‑and‑cognition research.

1. The Study in a Nutshell

The authors report that the protective association persisted even after accounting for major dementia risk factors. Importantly, the benefit appeared consistent across different sub‑types of cheese – hard, semi‑hard, and soft – suggesting that the effect may not be limited to a single cheese variety.

2. How Might Cheese Protect the Brain?

The authors discuss several plausible biological mechanisms that could underlie the link between cheese and cognitive health.

2.1. Calcium and Magnesium

Cheese is a rich source of calcium, and the study’s authors point to calcium’s role in neuronal signaling and synaptic plasticity. Adequate calcium levels may help stabilize the neural circuits that deteriorate in dementia. Magnesium, another mineral abundant in dairy, has been shown to influence cerebral blood flow and reduce neuroinflammation.

2.2. Vitamin K₂ (Menaquinone)

Hard cheeses such as Gouda, Edam, and aged cheddar are particularly high in vitamin K₂, a fat‑soluble nutrient that facilitates the deposition of calcium in bone rather than in soft tissues. Recent animal studies suggest vitamin K₂ may inhibit amyloid‑β plaque formation – a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease – by modulating inflammation and oxidative stress.

2.3. Probiotics and the Gut–Brain Axis

Fermented dairy products (including certain cheeses) harbor live bacterial cultures. These probiotics can shape the gut microbiome, which in turn communicates with the brain via immune, neural, and metabolic pathways. A balanced gut flora has been associated with reduced systemic inflammation and improved cognitive outcomes in several epidemiologic studies.

2.4. Bioactive Peptides

During cheese ripening, casein proteins break down into short peptides with bioactive properties. Some of these peptides possess antioxidant and anti‑inflammatory effects that might help protect neurons from age‑related damage.

3. Contextualizing the Findings

3.1. The Mediterranean Diet Connection

Cheese consumption is often highlighted in discussions of the Mediterranean diet, which has been linked to reduced dementia risk in multiple meta‑analyses. However, the relationship is complex: cheese adds saturated fat, whereas the Mediterranean diet also includes olive oil, nuts, legumes, and plenty of plant foods. The Dutch study’s strength lies in its ability to isolate cheese from these other dietary components, suggesting an independent protective effect.

3.2. Comparisons with Other Dairy Studies

Previous research has produced mixed results. Some studies found no association between dairy intake and cognition, while others noted a slight benefit. The current study stands out due to its large sample size, long follow‑up, and rigorous adjustment for confounders. It also clarifies that even modest consumption (1–2 servings per week) may confer benefits, making the recommendation accessible to most people.

3.3. Limitations and Caveats

• Observational Design – The study cannot prove causality. Residual confounding (e.g., healthier lifestyle habits among cheese consumers) might partly explain the findings.
• Self‑Reported Intake – FFQs rely on memory and honesty; misclassification could bias results toward the null.
• Generalizability – The cohort was Dutch; dietary patterns and cheese varieties differ worldwide. Whether the same benefit applies to other populations remains to be tested.

4. Practical Takeaways for Readers

1. Moderation is Key – 2–4 servings per week (roughly 1–2 ounces per serving) appears optimal. Excessive cheese could add calories and saturated fat without additional cognitive benefit.
2. Choose Varieties Rich in Vitamin K₂ – Aged hard cheeses, such as Gouda, Edam, or aged cheddar, tend to have higher vitamin K₂ content.
3. Pair Cheese with Brain‑Friendly Foods – Combine with leafy greens, berries, nuts, and omega‑3‑rich fish to create a balanced plate that supports overall health.
4. Mind the Total Diet – Cheese should be part of a broader dietary pattern rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, rather than a standalone “cure.”
5. Stay Physically Active – Exercise remains one of the most robust protective factors against cognitive decline and can synergize with dietary benefits.

5. Looking Forward

The Food & Wine article emphasizes the need for future randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to confirm causality and to disentangle which cheese components—calcium, vitamin K₂, probiotics, or peptides—contribute most to the protective effect. Meanwhile, observational data such as this give clinicians and nutritionists a data‑backed rationale for encouraging moderate cheese intake among older adults, especially those at higher risk of dementia.

In sum, the new study adds a savory twist to the conversation about brain health. While it’s unlikely that cheese alone will be a silver bullet against dementia, it underscores how a simple, well‑chosen dietary element can fit into a broader strategy to keep the mind sharp into the golden years.