The Claim
Higher intake of non-fermented dairy and milk is associated with worse performance on the verbal fluency test in middle-aged men, with those in the highest intake tertile producing 2.9–3.0 fewer words than those in the lowest tertile after 4 years of follow-up.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
Middle-aged men who consume more non-fermented dairy and milk perform worse on verbal fluency tests after four years, producing 2.9 to 3.0 fewer words than those who consume the least.
See the scientific wording
Higher intake of non-fermented dairy and milk is associated with worse performance on the verbal fluency test in middle-aged men, with those in the highest intake tertile producing 2.9–3.0 fewer words than those in the lowest tertile after 4 years of follow-up.
Milk contains a sugar called galactose that, when consumed in large amounts, builds up in the brain and triggers inflammation and damage to nerve cells. This damage reduces the brain's ability to quickly retrieve and say words.
What the research says
1 studyMen who ate more milk and cream scored worse on a word-recall test four years later, and this study found the same thing — more dairy linked to poorer word skills.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.