Is Cheese Healthy to Consume?

Is Cheese Healthy to Consume?

In the last 50 years, cheese has grown in popularity in the United States and other countries. According to statistics, consumption of cheese has tripled from 1970 to 2010. When it comes to cheese, people love eating it. But is cheese healthy?

Cheese is a whole food that is generally good for you as long as you consume it moderately. Some people avoid dairy cheese due to milk allergy or lactose intolerance because they are on a weight-loss diet or a vegan diet.

What is cheese?

Cheese is a dairy product produced by adding acid or bacteria to milk from various farm animals and then aging a substantial part of the milk. It comes in several textures and flavors. The nutrition and taste of the cheese majorly depend on how it is processed and what milk is being used in its production. Cheese is a substantial source of protein and calcium, but it can also be high in fat and sodium.

Cheese Health Benefits

  • Bone health – Cheese contributes to healthy bones development as it contains calcium, protein, zinc, magnesium, vitamin A and B-12.
  • Blood pressure – A study shows that despite being rich in sodium and fat, eating more cheese may lower blood pressure.
  • Improves Cholesterol – A study conducted in 2015, compared the blood cholesterol of people eating butter or cheese. Although both diets have the same amount of saturated fat and calories, the cheese eaters had lower LDL cholesterol than butter eating people.
  • Lower heart disease – A study conducted on French people showed that eating cheese everyday was associated with an 18% lesser risk of heart disease. Nutrients like magnesium, calcium, potassium, and vitamins like riboflavin and B12 may play a role.
  • Healthy weight loss – People with a high body mass index are more likely to have low levels of calcium. As you know, cheese is a good source of calcium; it may help people in a weight loss diet.
  • Healthy cells – Cells and tissue in your body need protein to build and repair. Cheese is an excellent source of protein, and one ounce of cheddar cheese can offer 7gm of protein.
  • Dental health – A study showed that cheese could raise the pH level in dental plaque, which protects dental cavities. It also has calcium, which plays a vital role in tooth formation.
  • Omega-3 fatty acid – Some cheese forms contain omega-3 fatty acids, obtained from the milk of the cow that eats only grass. Omega-3 fatty acid improves the health of the cardiovascular system and the brain.

Risk

  • Some people are allergic to cheese. Cheese contains lactose, that can’t be digested by lactose-intolerant people. Their body lacks the enzyme that helps to break lactose down. Too much cheese consumption can lead to digestive problems.
  • Some people are also allergic to Casein, which is the main protein found in milk. In this case, low lactose cheese will not help.
  • Depending on the variety of cheese you consume, sometimes you may intake a lot of calories, which is not suitable for your health.
  • Cheese contains no fiber. Excessive intake of cheese can lead to constipation.
  • Cheese contains a high amount of sodium, which may lead to overeating and can cause problems for people with high blood pressure.
  • The presence of estrogen and other steroids in the dairy product could disrupt the endocrine system and can also increase the risk of some types of cancer.

Tips

  • Cheese offers many health benefits. People with cardiovascular disease or weight gain should choose low-fat cheese.
  • Processed cheese is more harmful because it contains additional fat and salt. Try to consume natural dairy products.
  • Adding a little cheese to your food will make your food tasty without too many calories.

Bottom line

Cheese is a healthy and delicious alternative to many nutrients, and some offer additional health benefits. A particular type of cheese can help improve bone health, promote gut health, aid weight loss, and many more. You need to choose the right cheese for you and consume it moderately.

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Author: Mansi GuptaApart from being a graduate in English Literature, Mansi is a knowledge freak who loves to wade through the pages of almost all types of books. Watching outside the windowpane and brewing stories are some of the hobbies that make her an extremely introverted personality. Writing isn't just a passion for her but a survival force that keeps her dragging through the absurdity and existentialism of life. She started writing in her school days. She writes articles concerning health, lifestyle, fashion, sexual awareness, and feminism. Currently, when physical and mental health deteriorates incessantly, she wishes to create awareness through her articles about its indispensability.