Food Frontiers · Jul 2026
Genetic Evidence From Linkage Disequilibrium Score Regression and Mendelian Randomization Links Cheese Intake to Cognitive Function
By Chen P, Cao Z, Feng J et al.
ABSTRACT Optimal brain function is strongly influenced by nutritional status, highlighting diet as a critical modifiable factor for maintaining cognitive health across the lifespan. This study aims to investigate the causal relationships between the consumption of 17 common foods and human cognitive abilities. Using large‐scale GWAS summary statistics, we applied linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) to estimate genetic correlations and Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess causal effects between dietary habits and cognitive phenotypes. Among the foods examined, genetically predicted cheese intake showed the most consistent positive associations with multiple cognitive traits. In contrast, genetically predicted alcohol intake showed consistent negative associations with several cognitive traits. Further MR analyses showed that cheese intake was also positively associated with cognition‐related outcomes, including educational attainment and psychological well‐being. In addition, enrichment analysis of genes mapped to cheese intake‐associated variants via eQTL analysis revealed significant enrichment in cognition‐related phenotypes and biological processes related to neuronal synaptic transmission. These findings suggest that cheese intake may be associated with favorable cognitive and psychological profiles, providing genetic evidence that may inform future dietary research on cognitive health.