There’s a reason people say ‘cheese’ to make you smile. A huge genetic analysis has found that people with better mental well-being tend to live longer and healthier lives – and certain lifestyle choices, like eating more cheese, could play a significant role in that effect.
Researchers in China have discovered through an extensive study that consuming more cheese is linked to increased longevity and improved health. While this might be an unexpected finding, it underscores the broader impact of diet and mental well-being on ageing.
Unlike previous observational studies that suggested a link between happiness and ageing, this research employs Mendelian randomization. This method helps in identifying potentially causal effects without the need for clinical trials, making the findings more robust.
The study analyzed data from eight different population datasets in Europe, covering between 38,000 and 2.4 million individuals. The results showed that better mental well-being – indicated by life satisfaction, mood, neuroticism, and depressive symptoms – can contribute to a longer and healthier life.
Zooming in on the data from 33 individuals, the researchers explored various intermediate factors that might influence the link between mental well-being and healthy ageing. These factors included lifestyle choices like smoking, individual behaviours such as medication use, physical attributes like muscle mass, and the presence of diseases like diabetes and cancer.
One of the standout findings was the impact of cheese consumption. Those who reported eating more cheese and fruit had higher mental well-being scores. Specifically, eating more cheese had a 3.67 per cent positive impact on their self-rated health and lifespan, compared to smoking cigarettes, which had a 4.56 per cent negative impact.
While high-fat foods are often considered detrimental, moderate consumption of dairy fat has been shown to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. Some types of cheese, when included in a balanced diet, may be particularly beneficial.
Recent studies, such as one conducted in Japan, have linked greater cheese consumption to better cognitive function. Additionally, cheese can activate the brain’s dopamine pathways, leading to feelings of pleasure and enhanced mental well-being.
The research suggests that incorporating cheese into your diet could be beneficial for both mental and physical health. However, the study’s authors caution that further research is needed to fully understand why cheese consumption has such a significant impact on healthy ageing.
For those aiming to live longer and healthier, a sprinkle of parmesan on your pasta might be a simple yet effective step in the right direction.
The study was published in Nature Human Behavior.
