Cheese is arguably pretty delicious, no matter the form. But, Is cheese healthy? Yes, it is very healthy and nutrient-dense like all other dairy products.
Now the question arises, Is cheese healthy to eat every day?
When you eat cheese every day, two things might happen to your body. First thing is that you get a lot of health benefits from cheese that make you healthy inside out. On the other hand, it may have some harmful effects. The type of cheese that you consume decides if it is healthy or not.
Regardless of the bright sides, cheese is also somewhat confusing due to its effects on a person’s health. This article has a complete analysis of the health benefits and disadvantages of eating cheese.
Table of Content
Is Cheese Healthy? Different Types of Cheese Analyzed!
Whether the cheese is healthy or not, depends on a lot of factors. There are different types of cheese and all of those have a variety of health benefits as well as side effects.
This is because the ingredients present in a particular cheese decide how healthy or unhealthy it is. Consuming a particular amount of cheese every day helps to minimize the risk of many chronic diseases.
Apart from various health benefits, cheese may also have some harmful effects. Depending on the types of cheese, here are the answers to various questions about the healthiness of different cheeses:
Is Mozzarella Cheese Healthy?
Mozzarella cheese is rich in vitamin B7. This is a water-soluble vitamin and doesn’t get stored in the body. Consumption of this cheese can best fulfil nutritional requirements of the human body.
If you’re pregnant and having biotin deficiency, eating this type of cheese can be helpful. According to research, biotin can also lower the level of blood glucose in diabetic people.
Mozzarella cheese also contains riboflavin and vitamin B2. These B complex vitamins can fight many diseases and reduce the risk of headaches and anemia.
Is Cheddar Cheese Healthy?
Cheddar cheese has a sharp taste and is relatively hard. It contains a variety of amazing nutrients that are advantageous to health.
It also contains a high amount of protein. Just a slice of cheese contains about 7 percent of protein which fulfills about 14 percent of your daily protein requirements.
Is Feta Cheese Healthy?
Feta Cheese is a part of Mediterranean cuisine. It is made from sheep or goat milk. It is fresh as compared to other varieties of cheese.
Feta Cheese is a source of a lot of essential nutrients. It has lower amounts of fats and calories than other cheeses. Also, it is rich in calcium and B vitamins.
Feta cheese is very beneficial to promote bone health. It prevents osteoporosis. Its calcium content is twice as much as phosphorus. This ratio makes it more healthy for bones and teeth.
Is Cottage Cheese Healthy?
The cottage cheese is a soft and creamy white cheese. Cottage Cheese is conatins vitamin B12, which is a brain-boosting vitamin B complex. It also contains calcium and helps you support strong bones.
This type of cheese helps to detox your body. It contains glutathione which is an antioxidant. This is one type of cheese that assists in weight loss.
Is Brie Cheese Healthy?
Brie is a soft form of cheese. It was named after the French region, Brie from which it was first introduced. It is yellow in color. It has a slight grayish tint under a rind of white mold.
Brie cheese has a good amount of Vitamin B12 and minerals such as phosphorus. It provides the nutrients that maintains the health of your nerves and red blood cells. It has selenium that is an antioxidant and helps in warding off the damage caused by free radicals.
Is Vegan Cheese healthy?
Vegan cheese is healthy but it is not as nutritious as regular cheese. Vegan cheese is not dairy-based. The health benefit of vegan cheese is that it is not processed much.
Vegan cheese contains fewer preservatives as compared to dairy cheese. For vegetarian people, vegan cheese can be healthy and a good choice for pizza toppings and Pasta.
Is Goat Cheese Healthy?
Goat Cheese lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The Minerals like calcium and potassium present in goat cheese are beneficial for the health of bones and teeth.
Goat cheese is very effective for diabetics. It reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes. Also, it’s low in cholesterol and has a great number of good fats.
Good fats present in goat milk are very beneficial for your brain, hormones functioning, and muscles. So, goat cheese can be a healthy cheese type.
Is Processed Cheese Healthy?
Processed cheese is less healthy as compared to regular natural cheeses. It is a pasteurized type of cheese containing a lot of harmful ingredients.
The preservatives can cause cardiovascular diseases and obesity. It also contains high amounts of sodium that can cause bloating and hypertension.
Cheese Calories
Cheese has a variety of types and all of those are different in calories. Here is the information about calories in different types of cheese.
| Types of Cheese (100 grams) | Calories |
| Cheddar cheese | 402 |
| Feta Cheese | 264 |
| Swiss cheese | 380 |
| Mozzarella cheese | 280 |
| Parmesan cheese | 431 |
| Brie cheese | 334 |
| Processed Cheese | 215 |
| Cream cheese | 334 |
Cheese Benefits and Disadvantages
Most people consider cheese as a superfood. That is right because cheese has a long list of health benefits. Also, it is part of so many delicious and popular food dishes. But everything is good in moderation. Eating a lot of cheese can also have some disadvantages.
Here are some common health benefits and side effects of eating cheese every day
Health Benefits of Cheese
Cheese contains a lot of vitamins and minerals that are useful for health. These nutrients are very advantageous to human health. Here are some amazing health benefits of eating cheese.
- Proteins present in cheese are necessary for the body to perform proper functions, maintaining a healthy metabolism and muscle regeneration.
- Cheese provides carbohydrates that are fuel for the body. The human body requires carbohydrates to obtain energy and perform different functions.
- Cheese contains several good fats that are beneficial for brain and heart health.
- Cheese can be a healthy addition to your diet. It depends on your level of activity. Cheese can protect you from the risk of osteoporosis and other bone-related diseases.
- A few types of cheese are good for the functions of the heart. It prevents the risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
- Cheese can contribute to reducing the risk of cancer. This is because linoleic acid and sphingolipids in cheese have antioxidant properties.
- Cheese can be the best choice for healthy hair, nails, and skin as it contains a lot of collagen essential for the growth of hair and nails.
- Calcium and phosphorus in cheese can contribute to maintaining dental health.
- Cheese has been used to reduce stress and anxiety . It is very helpful in improving mood.
- Cheese contains probiotics that increase the number of good bacteria in our stomach and promote digestive health.
Side Effects of Eating Cheese Every day
Although cheese is a healthy and delicious option to add to a healthy diet plan, eating too much cheese can be harmful. Here are the disadvantages of eating too much cheese.
- A high amount of cheese can lead to increased levels of cholesterol and fats in your body. It results in greater chances of cardiovascular diseases.
- Eating too much cheese can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and food poisoning.
- Cheese containing sugar in the form of lactose is not good for lactose-intolerant people.
- Cheese is high in sodium and it can cause bloating as well as hypertension.
- Cheese is high in amino acid tyramine that can trigger headaches and can cause migraines.
These side effects of eating cheese are only observed in people who are lactose intolerant or who eat cheese in excess. Otherwise, cheese is known for its myriad health benefits and is good for a healthy body and mind.
Is Cheese Healthy for Pregnancy?
Soft cheeses are not good for you if you’re pregnant. This type of cheese contains a bacteria named Listeria that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and severe infections in pregnant women.
This infection can lead to early miscarriage or premature birth. Therefore, soft and mold-ripened cheeses like brie are not safe to eat during pregnancy.
However, It is good to have your doctor’s suggestions before eating any kind of cheese, if you’re pregnant.
Is Cheese Healthy for Heart patients?
Heart patients should eat cheese with low-fat content. Cheese contains some good fats that are very beneficial for cardiovascular health. So heart patients can eat cheese high in good fats.
However, there are many types of cheese which contain bad fats that can cause strokes and can block blood vessels. So, heart patients should avoid cheese having high quantities of LDL or bad cholesterol.
How Much Cheese Per Day?
If you want to eat cheese for its health benefits, it is not wise to eat a lot of cheese. Always eat it in the dairy portion included in your diet.
If you eat cheese every day, a single portion of your plate is enough for it. You may extend it to two portions but eating more than that can be risky.
According to health experts, including less than 42 grams of cheese in your diet per day can have great health benefits.
FAQs
Question: Is cheese healthy for dogs?
Yes, low-fat cheese can be healthy for your dog. Low-fat cheese varieties include Mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese and goat cheese. These types are safe for pets. But eating too much high-fat cheese can be bad for your dog’s health.
Question: Is cheese healthy for diabetics?
Cheese is high in lactose sugar so eating a lot of cheese is not good for diabetics. However, eating a moderate amount of cheese having good fats can be helpful for diabetics as it reduces insulin sensitivity.
Question: Is cheese healthy for babies?
Cheese can be healthy for babies who are 6 months old or more than that. Cottage cheese, cheddar cheese, and soft cream cheese are good options to include in your baby’s diet.
Bottom Line
Is cheese healthy? Yes, it is healthy being a part of dairy as it is rich in calcium, phosphorus, and other important vitamins and minerals. Apart from the health benefits of cheese, it may have some harmful effects particularly if the cheese is processed. So, while choosing cheese, pick up the rawest one as that is more nutritious and healthy.
