The unexpected impact of cheese consumption on aging

Chinese researchers have discovered that mental well-being could be a key factor in healthy aging, regardless of individuals' socio-economic status. This conclusion is based on the analysis of eight genetic databases, including 2.3 million Europeans. And this has a connection with cheese...


Using a method called "Mendelian randomization," they demonstrated that people with better mental well-being tended to age better, characterized by greater resilience, higher self-rated health, and increased longevity.

The relationship between mental well-being and physical health has long been studied, but determining a clear causality remained difficult due to many potential confounding factors, such as socio-economic status. Tian-Ge Wang and colleagues used public genetic data to examine this effect. Their analysis revealed that mental well-being was associated with positive aging outcomes, regardless of income, education, or employment.

The researchers also identified certain behaviors that promote well-being and, consequently, healthier aging. For example, reducing the time spent watching television, decreasing smoking, and increasing the consumption of cheese and fruits were linked to improved mental well-being. Among these factors, cheese consumption proved particularly beneficial, with a positive impact of 3.67% on self-rated health and longevity.

These findings highlight the importance of integrating mental health support into public health policies and aging research. The authors suggest that interventions aimed at improving mental well-being could be an effective strategy for promoting healthy aging in the population. However, they acknowledge the need to validate these findings with more diverse ethnic groups, as the study focuses solely on individuals of European descent.

Regarding the benefits of cheese, a recent Japanese study supports these conclusions by linking increased cheese consumption to better cognitive function. Other research suggests that cheese might activate dopamine pathways in the brain, inducing sensations of pleasure.

In conclusion, although complex interactions make it difficult to extrapolate unique results, this study provides encouraging evidence on the importance of mental well-being for healthy aging. Consuming cheese, along with other positive lifestyle habits, could thereby play a beneficial role.