Recent research findings published in the journals of the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI) include: nutrients Our results suggest that regular consumption of cheese may be associated with improved cognitive health in older adults. For the study, the team analyzed data from 1,516 participants aged 65 and older, collected from a broader survey of older adults conducted every two years. The participants, all based in Tokyo, Japan, had their diets closely assessed, with a particular focus on cheese intake.
Participants’ cognitive abilities were measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), a common 30-point test for assessing cognitive function among older adults. In this research study, an MMSE score of 23 or lower means cognitive decline. “Previous studies have shown that dietary patterns characterized by high intakes of soy products, vegetables, seaweed, milk, and dairy products and low intakes of grain products are associated with a lower risk of developing dementia. “Consumption of milk and dairy products reduces the risk of developing dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease,” the study said.
After accounting for variables such as age, physical activity, and overall dietary habits, the study found that participants who regularly consumed cheese were less likely to score below 23 on the MMSE.
“This result suggests that the inverse relationship between cheese intake and cognitive decline may be due to the possibility that subjects with high cheese intake had a dietary habit of consuming a variety of foods rather than the specific nutrients contained in cheese.” “This may suggest that it may be the case,” the study said. She added that such dietary diversity does not negate the link between cheese consumption and cognitive health.