Summary:
A recent study conducted in Japan has found that in addition to adopting healthy lifestyle habits, such as staying active, eating well, and avoiding smoking, regularly consuming cheese could potentially lower the risk of dementia and other brain disorders. Dementia is a term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders that affect the brain, impacting memory, thinking, and behavior. Currently, there is no known cure for dementia.
The study, led by Hunkyung Kim and his team at the Gaon Research Center, monitored the lifestyles and eating habits of over 1,500 individuals aged 65 and above. They discovered that those who included cheese in their diets performed remarkably better in cognitive tests. However, it should be noted that further research is required to better understand the connection between dairy intake and cognitive function.
Published in the journal Nutrition, the study examined the relationship between dairy consumption and brain health. Participants were questioned about their dietary habits, and it was found that around 80% of them included cheese in their diets, ranging from processed cheese to varieties like brie, camembert, and blue mold cheese.
To assess cognitive function, the volunteers completed a comprehensive 30-point examination that evaluated their orientation, attention, memory, language, and visual-spatial skills. The results showed that those who regularly consumed cheese consistently scored above the threshold indicating poorer cognitive function, providing further evidence of the potential link between cheese consumption and enhanced brain function.
In addition to improved cognitive function, the cheese-eaters in the study also demonstrated lower BMI, better blood pressure, a faster walking speed, and a wider variety in their diet. However, they did exhibit slightly higher levels of cholesterol and blood sugar.
Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind the potential benefits of cheese consumption on brain health. Nonetheless, this study suggests that adding cheese to your diet, in moderation, may have positive effects on cognitive function and overall brain health.
Definitions:
– Dementia: A range of progressive neurological disorders that affect the brain, impacting memory, thinking, and behavior.
– Alzheimer’s disease: A specific type of dementia characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, leading to cognitive decline and memory loss.
– Parkinson’s disease: A neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects movement and is characterized by tremors, bradykinesia (slowness of movement), and muscle stiffness.
– BMI (Body Mass Index): A measure of body fat based on an individual’s weight and height.
– Cholesterol: A fatty substance found in the blood that is essential for the body’s normal functioning, but high levels can increase the risk of heart disease.
– Blood sugar: The concentration of glucose (sugar) in the blood, which provides energy to the body’s cells. High levels can indicate diabetes or prediabetes.
Sources:
– Nutrition Journal (Journal)
– Getty Images (Photo)
– YouTube (Video)
