The Surprising Ways Cheese and Fermented Foods Support Your Memory

We’ve all heard that cheese makes everything better—but could it actually make your memory better, too? That oozy wheel of Brie or slice of Camembert might be doing more than just hitting your comfort-food sweet spot. Recent research suggests that certain fermented cheeses could help keep your brain sharp and your neurons happy.

Before you start calling it “doctor’s orders” to eat a baked Brie, let’s dig into the science.

The Smart Fats Inside Your Favorite Cheeses

Not all fats are created equal—especially the ones in creamy, funky, or aged cheeses. Certain fatty acids in Brie, Camembert, and similar cheeses may give your brain a boost.

CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) helps fight inflammation, a major culprit in cognitive decline. Butyric acid, produced during fermentation, supports gut health and the gut-brain connection, protecting your brain along the way.

And here’s the nerdy good part: fermentation also creates myristamide, which boosts BDNF, the protein your brain uses to grow neurons and strengthen memory and learning.

The Camembert Connection

A recent neuroscience study put Camembert cheese under the microscope (figuratively, not on a charcuterie board). Researchers tested how a high-fat diet paired with Camembert affected cognitive function in mice.

Using object recognition and location tests—essentially mouse IQ quizzes—they found that the Camembert group outperformed their cheese-free peers. The mice that ate the cheese showed better memory and learning, thanks in part to the compound myristamide, which boosted BDNF activity in the brain’s memory hub.

Interestingly, when scientists tested myristic acid (a similar compound without that fermentation magic), the brain benefits disappeared. Translation: it’s the fermentation that turns good fats into brain food.

Other Fermented Foods That Feed Your Brain

If cheese isn’t your everyday indulgence (who are you?), there’s good news—fermentation itself seems to be the secret sauce. Other fermented foods also show promise for supporting cognitive function and gut health:

• Aged Cheeses, Yogurt & Kefir: Packed with probiotics and short-chain fatty acids that feed your gut and calm inflammation. They’re also rich in tryptophan (the precursor to serotonin) and B vitamins, which support mood and focus.

• Miso, Tempeh & Natto: Soy-based ferments loaded with vitamin K2, isoflavones, and enzymes that may reduce inflammation and support brain health.

• Kimchi & Sauerkraut: Crunchy, tangy, and teeming with probiotics and antioxidants that may protect neurons and boost cognition.

• Kombucha: A fizzy tea that brings polyphenols, acetic acid, and B vitamins to the table—plus it keeps your gut microbes well-fed and balanced.

While we’re not saying Brie is the new brain supplement (not yet, anyway), the science is definitely pointing toward something deliciously interesting: fermented foods—especially certain cheeses—may play a real role in supporting cognitive health.

It’s early days for research, but the idea that your next cheese board could double as a brain boost? That’s the kind of science we can get behind.