In a cohort study[1] of 37,689 participants from the U.S. Women’s Health Initiative — Dietary Modification Trial (WHI-DM), lactose was the only sugar out of six subtypes that was significantly associated with AD risk. This suggests that dairy intake may increase AD risk, but other studies have found the opposite[2] or no effect[3].
Is dairy intake linked to AD risk?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
A cohort study indicated that lactose, the only sugar significantly associated with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) risk, suggests a potential link between dairy intake and increased AD risk. However, other studies have reported conflicting results and shown either no effect or an opposite association.