Wine and cheese could slash dementia risk, study finds - but cut out this one food

Dementia is a syndrome, or a group of symptoms, related to the ongoing decline of the brain. Some of the most commonly known symptoms include memory loss, confusion, and behavioural changes.

But it can also lead to mobility issues, depression, and even hallucinations. Due to the nature of the condition these symptoms will progressively worsen over time.

It is most prevalent in people over the age of 65, and for this reason, it is sometimes seen as a condition that is almost unavoidable as we get older.

However, around 40 percent of cases are thought to be preventable through certain lifestyle changes.

Diet is one such lifestyle change that can make a difference. But scientists revealed some specific foods, often regarded as indulgent treats, could actually be key in the fight against dementia.

According to a first-of-its-kind study, consuming cheese, wine and lamb was found to lower the risk of cognitive decline in older age.

It is thought these foods could increase the levels of proteins in the brain to protect it from damage.

As part of the research, the team at Iowa State University in the US analysed nearly 1,800 Britons aged 46 to 77.

They compared their diets with their abilities to think quickly and accurately across a decade.

The participants were asked about their intake of fresh fruit, dried fruit, raw vegetables and salad, cooked vegetables, oily fish, lean fish, processed meat, poultry, beef, lamb, pork, cheese, bread, cereal, tea and coffee, beer and cider, red wine, white wine and champagne and spirits.

They also completed a Fluid Intelligence Test (FIT) as part of touchscreen questionnaire compiled between 2006 and 2010 and then in two follow-up assessments from 2012- 2013 and again between 2015- 2016.

The test provides a snapshot of an individual's ability to "think on the fly”, the Bristol Post reports.

Results from this showed that cheese was by far the most protective food against age-related cognitive problems, even late into life.

And the daily consumption of alcohol, particularly red wine, and a weekly meal of lamb, but not other red meats, were both found to improve long-term cognitive prowess.

The study, which was published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease in 2020, also showed that one popular ingredient should be cut from our diets to protect against dementia - salt.

Individuals at risk for Alzheimer's were therefore warned to watch their intake to avoid cognitive problems over time.

Study author Dr Auriel Willette, an assistant professor in Food Science and Human Nutrition, commented: "I was pleasantly surprised that our results suggest that responsibly eating cheese and drinking red wine daily are not just good for helping us cope with our current COVID-19 pandemic, but perhaps also dealing with an increasingly complex world that never seems to slow down.

"While we took into account whether this was just due to what well-off people eat and drink, randomised clinical trials are needed to determine if making easy changes in our diet could help our brains in significant ways."

Neuroscience PhD candidate Brandon Klinedinst added: "Depending on the genetic factors you carry, some individuals seem to be more protected from the effects of Alzheimer’s, while others seem to be at greater risk.

“That said, I believe the right food choices can prevent the disease and cognitive decline altogether.

"Perhaps the silver bullet we're looking for is upgrading how we eat. Knowing what that entails contributes to a better understanding of Alzheimer's and putting this disease in a reverse trajectory."

However, previous studies have shown that drinking alcohol has been linked to cognitive decline.

The Alzheimer’s Society warns that if you are regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week you are “increasing your risk of dementia”.