Study reveals common and popular sandwich may reduce dementia risk

A new study has revealed that a popular, common and simple sandwich could help reduce the risk of dementia .

The research found that those who regularly consumed cheese sandwiches performed better in cognitive tests , suggesting a lower likelihood of developing the incurable syndrome.

The eating habits, health and physical activity of 1,516 over-65s were tracked by a team of scientists in Tokyo, Japan. They collected a wide range of data including diet, history of falls, chronic conditions, muscle mass, body fat, blood pressure, calf size, grip strength, walking speed, cholesterol levels and mental status.

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The study discovered that around 80 per cent of participants consumed cheese, either daily (28 per cent), once every two days (24 per cent) or twice a week (30 per cent). Processed cheese was the most popular type, followed by white mould cheese (such as brie and camembert), fresh cheese (like feta, mascarpone and ricotta), and blue mould cheese (including Stilton and Gorgonzola), according to The Sun.

Participants' cognitive abilities were tested using a series of 30 questions - known as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) - covering memory, language, orientation, attention and visual-spatial skills. Those scoring 23 or below were considered to have poor cognitive function.

However, the study found that individuals were likely to score higher than this if their diet included cheese.

For instance, cheese aficionados scored an average of 28 while those who refrained had a score of 27. Cheese eaters also recorded slightly lower blood pressure and BMIs, exhibited a quicker pace when walking, and embraced a more diverse diet overall.

Nevertheless, they presented the downside of having higher cholesterol and blood sugar levels. In contrast, non-cheese eaters tended to walk slower, possessed fewer teeth, and had smaller calf muscles.

This group also saw greater cases of urinary incontinence and anaemia. These discoveries were detailed in the Nutrients journal with the researchers pointing out: "Previous studies have shown that a dietary pattern characterised by a high intake of soybean products, vegetables, seaweed, milk, and dairy products, together with a low intake of grain products, is associated with reduced risk of developing dementia."

They added, "Moreover, a high intake of milk and dairy products reduces the risk of developing dementia, especially Alzheimer's dementia. [Our] results suggest that cheese intake is inversely associated with lower cognitive function even after adjusting for multiple confounding factors."

While they inferred that cheese might possess brain-enhancing traits, they acknowledged that further inquiries are required to definitively determine the potential of cheese in curbing dementia.

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