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Dairy consumption—of certain amounts and types—could have benefits for cognitive health and function in older adults. This is the finding of researchers from the Hebei Medical University in China, who have revealed that moderate dairy intake—especially fermented products like yogurt and cheese—are associated with improved verbal memory and executive function (cognitive abilities enabling planning, focus, attention, remembering instructions and multitasking). This may be because fermented dairy products are rich in probiotics, which enhance global cognitive function by promoting neurotransmitter production through the gut–brain axis. However, excessive amounts of milk were found instead to be associated with poorer memory capacities. Man eating yogurt at white marble table top. “With the global demographic shift, the proportion of the older adult population has significantly increased. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2050, the number of individuals aged 60 and above is projected to reach 2.2 billion, representing 22 percent of the total population,” the study authors wrote in the paper. “However, cognitive decline with age is a widespread health concern among older adults. According to data from Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), approximately 50 million people worldwide are currently living with dementia, a figure projected to triple to 153 million by 2050. Dementia imposes a significant burden on individuals, families, and the global economy, with costs estimated at one trillion U.S. dollars in 2018.” While previous research has begun to highlight the association between dietary patterns and cognitive health, the authors point out that previous findings suggesting a link with dairy have been inconsistent. To build on this, they set out to assess how different types and amounts of dairy affect cognitive performance in a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. A total of 38 studies were included, comprising 21 cohort studies, 15 cross-sectional studies and 2 randomized controlled trials. While moderate intake of certain dairy types showed clear benefits, high milk intake showed a potential association with poorer verbal memory. The team concluded that the optimal daily intake for cognitive benefit is 150 grams of total dairy and 30 grams of whole-fat dairy, based on evidence showing nonlinear associations with the lowest risk of cognitive decline. A selection of yogurts and cheese. | Getty Images/Nadiya Senko Asian populations in the study also showed more cognitive benefits from dairy than European ones, possibly due to dietary habits, according to the researchers. “The findings reveal that moderate dairy consumption, particularly fermented products, may support cognitive health in older adults. However, excessive intake—especially of milk—could have adverse effects,” said study author Ting Gao of Hebei Medical University in a statement. The researchers emphasized associations may vary by region and dairy type and more high-quality studies are needed to clarify these relationships and guide dietary recommendations. Newsweek has reached out to the authors for additional comment. Do you have a tip on a health story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question cognitive health? Let us know via health@newsweek.com. Gao, T., Li, Y., Niu, L., Wang, Z., Li, S., Niu, Y., Li, Y., Meng, Y., Gao, X., & Xu, X. (2025). Dairy products intake and its association with cognitive function in older adults: A systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis. Clinical Nutrition, 55(1), 24–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2025.09.020
