It is a fact that a lot of people love cheese. It is due to its creamy and nutty flavor, which makes us crave many Italian dishes. However, cheese is seen as a high-calorie and fatty food that does not have much nutritional value. With this, many people are also quite hesitant to enjoy the cheesy goodness of certain dishes and snacks. But did you know that based on research, cheese might actually be good for you? Well, that’s probably one of the researches that many people are waiting for.
Cheese is obtained from dairy fermentation, giving it a lot of health benefits to offer. It also comes in different types, such as cheddar, brie, gouda, mozzarella, and more, making it one of the most vital ingredients in the world of culinary. It is a good source of fats and protein. In addition to that, cheese is also beneficial for heart health. And based on research, it can also help in improving brain function, supporting gut health, and boosting immunity. But you have to remember that not all cheeses are created equal. All of them should be eaten in moderation, and it is essential to pick the healthiest ones, like swiss, feta, cottage cheese, and parmesan, to name a few.
If you are wondering about what cheese can contribute to your health, you’re in the right place. Today, we are giving you the facts and health benefits of cheese.
1. Cheese can help promote healthy bones.
Cheese is known to be a rich source of calcium, which is the essential nutrient to have stronger bones. Therefore, it is essential for everyone, especially for pregnant and lactating women. In addition to that, growing kids are also recommended to eat a decent amount of cheese. Aside from calcium, cheese is also rich in B vitamins, which helps the bones absorb calcium easily.
2. Cheese can help cut your risk of heart disease.
According to some researchers, cheese might explain the so-called French Paradox, which states that French people have low rates of heart disease even though they usually consume cheese and other foods that are rich in saturated fats, like butter. Based on their study, one major finding was that consuming about 2 ounces of cheese in a day was associated with an 18% lower risk of heart disease. They say that minerals such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium, and as well as vitamins like B12 and riboflavin, may play are role. In addition to that, another key finding is that eating as little as ½ ounce of cheese a day could cut the risk of stroke by 13%.
3. Cheese may help boost immunity.
Cheese contains good bacteria that can help boost gut health, which improves the ability of the body to fight infections. Therefore, for better immunity, try to include cheese in your snacks and meals.
4. Cheese can help fend off diabetes.
According to an analyst of cohort studies in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating 1 ¾ ounce of cheese a day may help lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 8%. Also, the same study suggests that eating about ¾ cup of yogurt daily had an even lower risk. This is due to the shorter-chain saturated fats in cheese that were linked to a lower risk of diabetes. Also, since it is rich in calcium, it also increases insulin secretion and may reduce insulin resistance, which may fend off the disease. The whey proteins of cheese may also play a role as they may increase insulin sensitivity.
5. Cheese may help improve cholesterol levels.
Did you know that a daily snack of cheese may lower your cholesterol? Based on a 2015 analysis of randomized controlled trials in Nutrition Reviews, the blood cholesterol of people eating a prescribed diet that included butter or cheese, the cheese eaters ended their trials with lower total and LDL cholesterol compared to their butter-eating counterparts. However, their HDL or good cholesterol was also lower. It may be beneficial if you will eat cheese along with foods rich in good cholesterol.
6. Cheese can help you become stronger.
Based on research, eating about a cup of ricotta cheese daily for 12 weeks may boost muscle mass and improve balance in healthy adults aged over 60. This is due to the milk proteins casein and whey that may fuel the improvement.
7. Cheese may help in maintaining a healthy weight.
Cheese is a good source of natural fats, and it can help you control your weight. There are also varieties of cheese that are low in fat. Aside from that, cheese also contains calcium, proteins, vitamins, and minerals that can help build muscles and stronger bones together with a stabilized metabolism.
8. Cheese may help improve brain function.
The brain is the most complicated part of the body. Therefore, it is important to ensure that it’s always in a healthy state. To have a healthy brain, the body needs to use the fats it derives from the food you eat. Since cheese is rich in omega 3 and fatty acids, it is one of the delicious ways to keep your brain healthy.
These are some of the health benefits that you can get from eating cheese. It is surprising to know that cheese can contribute a lot to our health. However, you should remember that cheese should be eaten in moderation as it is still high in fats and calories. We hope this post helped you learn more about the health benefits of cheese.