He cheese It is one of the most popular dairy products in the Mediterranean diet, which has led it to be the subject of various research over time. Many of them have focused, specifically, on the effect that the consumption of certain varieties can have. He neurologist and neurosurgeon Dr. Mill Etienne has shared the results of a study in which it has been confirmed positive impact on memory and cognitive function. A result that, for Spain, is promising, since 60% of dementia cases are undiagnosed and nearly 800,000 people suffer from Alzheimer’s. according to the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN).
What varieties of cheese have benefits for the brain?
In Dr. Etienne A recent Japanese study has been echoed in international media that has linked the consumption of cheeses such as feta and cheddar with a better memory and cognitive function. The research, which included 1,200 adults over 65 years of age, showed positive results about these two types of cheeses for improvement of brain performance.
Of course, the key to obtaining all the benefits lies above all inn the quality of the cheese and, of course, avoid the most processed ones. Dr. Etienne advises Don’t opt ​​for individually packaged or spreadable optionssince they are usually processed cheeses that may contain additives such as diacetyl, an enzyme used to give flavor that could contribute to the deterioration of memory and increase the risk of cerebrovascular diseases.
The effects of eating cheese on the brain
The impact of cheese on the brain is mainly due to two amino acids: tryptophan and tyrosine. The first is a precursor to serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for regulating mood. While, the second, stimulates dopamine production and the feeling of pleasure. In terms of nutrients, cheeses are rich in vitamin B12, calcium and phosphorusessential minerals for brain function.
To find out if cheese consumption is affecting our brain health, Dr. Etienne recommends listening to body signals. Yeah when eating certain types of cheeseespecially those that have high lactose content, digestive problems are noticed, it may have a negative impact on your brain. That is why the neurologist always opts for low-lactose and lightly processed options such as Swiss, Parmesan or Cheddar. In addition, he recommends the feta variety because it is made with sheep or goat milk, which provides more benefits than cow.
References
Kim, H., Osuka, Y., Kojima, N., Sasai, H., Nakamura, K., Oba, C., Sasaki, M., & Suzuki, T. (2023b). Inverse Association between Cheese Consumption and Lower Cognitive Function in Japanese Community-Dwelling Older Adults Based on a Cross-Sectional Study. Nutrients, 15(14), 3181. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15143181
