Wine and cheese may improve brain function

Moderate amounts of wine and cheese can improve brain function and help to prevent cognitive decline, according to the findings of a 10-year study.

The wine and cheese you indulge in over Christmas might do you some good

As reported by Decanter, the decade-long study, conducted by Iowa State University, found that “responsible” consumption of wine and cheese can help protect against cognitive decline in ageing adults.

The study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, explored the links between diet and age-related cognitive decline in 1,748 UK-based adults aged between 46 and 77.

Researchers analysed dietary survey data and cognitive test results on the participants gathered over a 10-year period. While cheese was found to be the most protective food by far, the moderate consumption of red wine was linked to improved brain function.

Eating lamb once a week was found to improve brain function, while a high salt intake was considered dangerous for those at risk of Alzheimer’s.

“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,” Auriel Willette, assistant professor in food science and human nutrition at ISU, told Decanter.