Emerging insights into dairy products and Alzheimer’s disease: exploring the potential neuroprotective effects

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline, synaptic dysfunction, and chronic neuroinflammation. While genetic and environmental factors are well-established contributors, emerging evidence suggests that diet, particularly dairy intake, may modulate AD risk. This review critically evaluates epidemiological and clinical findings on the neuroprotective potential of dairy products. Bioactive components, including milk-derived peptides, milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), and fermentation-derived metabolites, exhibit antioxidant and neurotrophic properties that support mitochondrial function and synaptic plasticity. Fermented dairy products may further influence cognition through modulation of the gut–brain axis and production of neuroactive microbial metabolites. Observational studies often indicate a positive association between dairy consumption and cognitive health, yet findings remain inconsistent, with neutral or contradictory outcomes reported. Clinical investigations are limited by small cohorts, heterogeneous methodologies, and population variability. Literature for this review was systematically retrieved from PubMed and Google Scholar. To clarify the role of dairy in AD prevention, future research should integrate precision nutrition approaches that account for genetic susceptibility, microbiota composition, and metabolic profiles. Overall, dairy represents an accessible source of bioactive compounds with potential to promote cognitive resilience, though robust longitudinal and interventional studies are required to establish causality and inform dietary guidelines.