The benefits and harms of cheese

For the general benefits of cheese

Cheese of various types provides some health benefits to the human body, of which we mention the following:

Rich source of calcium: Calcium in cheese can help promote dental health, as calcium plays an important role in tooth formation, and it can also help lower blood pressure. It is advised to choose low-fat, low-sodium cheese to achieve this benefit. People who follow a diet to lose weight, as people who have a high body mass index (in English: BMI), are likely to have low calcium levels in their bodies

A good source of probiotics: Most types of cheese are subjected to a fermentation process, but this does not mean that all types of fermented cheese contain probiotics or what is called probiotics (in English: Probiotic), so it is necessary to read the food label to make sure that the cheese contains live and active bacteria, Beneficial bacteria can remain and survive the aging process in some cheeses, such as mozzarella, cheddar, and cottage cheese. These bacteria provide many health benefits for the body and brain, and they may improve the health of the digestive system, help relieve depression, and promote heart health. There is some scientific evidence that they may help improve skin health.

Types of cheese and its benefits

There are many types of cheese, the most prominent of which are the following:

Cheddar cheese

Cheddar cheese is a semi-hard cheese, native to England, and it is usually made from cow's milk that is aged for several months, and its color ranges from white, off-white to yellow, and its taste ranges from mild to very strong depending on the variety, and it is considered a rich source It is rich in protein and calcium, in addition to being a good source of vitamin K, especially vitamin K2.

For more information, you can read the article on the benefits of cheddar cheese.

Cottage cheese

Cottage cheese is known as a cheese made from curd curd, and it has a mild flavor. This cheese can be mixed and used with sweet ingredients such as fruits, or salty ingredients such as pasta with tomato sauce. Cottage cheese contains a high percentage of phosphorus, which contributes to maintaining bone health, as well They contain the nine essential amino acids, which must be obtained from food because the human body cannot make them.

Quraish cheese is available in several forms; such as regular, low-fat, and fat-free cheese, and it is recommended to use low-fat or fat-free cheese; Because it contains less fat, and it should be mentioned that although this cheese has many benefits, it contains a high percentage of sodium, so it is recommended to eat it in moderate quantities, as 113 grams of low-fat cottage cheese contains 81 calories, and 1 .15 grams of fat and 459 milligrams of sodium.]

blue cheese

Blue cheese is made from cow's, goat's, or sheep's milk, and cultures of Penicillium mold are added to it. The color of blue cheese is white with blue or gray veins and spots. Blue cheese is a rich source of nutrients, and contains more calcium than most other cheeses.[4]

For more information, you can read the article on the benefits of blue cheese.

liquid cheese

Liquid cheese is a soft creamy cheese with a soft texture, and it has a mild flavor. It is commonly used with bread, biscuits, and cakes. It is usually made from milk cream, and it can also be made with a mixture of cream and milk. This type of cheese is a good source of vitamins, and many Of antioxidants, in addition to containing probiotics, on the other hand, this cheese contains high amounts of fat, and a small amount of carbohydrates and protein.

And for more information, you can read the article on the harms of liquid cheese.

Halloumi cheese

Halloumi cheese has a semi-hard texture, flexible, compact, and a light outer crust, and it does not contain holes or openings, and it can be cut easily, and its color varies from white when made using sheep’s or goat’s milk, to yellow when made using cow’s milk.

white cheese

A large part of the soft white cheese produced in Jordan is used to produce boiled white cheese. White cheese is usually produced seasonally from ewes' or goats' milk, or a mixture between them without adding prefixes or salt, and is made under non-mechanical or highly professional conditions.

Cheese damage

Cheese safety

Cheese is considered safe for human consumption in general, and it is considered safe in some cases even if it contains mold. [12] With regard to pregnant women, all types of hard cheeses are safe for consumption during pregnancy, whether made from pasteurized or unpasteurized milk, with the exception of cheese Soft, mold-ripened, and soft cheeses containing blue veins made from pasteurized or unpasteurized milk are unsafe during pregnancy, just as any type of soft cheese made from unpasteurized milk is unsafe during pregnancy even if it is not blue cheese. Or not ripe with mold.[13]

Contraindications for the use of cheese

Eating cheese products can cause some side effects in some cases, for several reasons, including the following:

Concerns have been raised that dairy products contain estrogen and other steroid hormones, which can disrupt the endocrine system and increase the risk of certain cancers.

Some types of cheese contain large amounts of phosphorus, and this can be harmful for people with kidney disorders, as the kidneys may be unable to remove excess phosphorus from the blood in their cases, which increases the risk of death.

Some studies have shown that high calcium intake is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, but other studies have not found any association between them.

Young children who consume large amounts of dairy products are more likely to become constipated, especially children who have a diet low in fiber and high in processed foods.

Cheese is a high source of sodium, and many people can consume cheese in large quantities, so eating it can cause problems for people with high blood pressure,[] Diabetics also need to reduce sodium consumption because it can raise blood pressure, and lead to problems in the heart and vessels. And in general, you should pay attention to the sodium intake of the body, and some types of cheese are higher in sodium than others, so it is recommended to read the food label, and choose the types that are as low in sodium as possible.]

Some people may suffer from side effects when eating cheese, and this is due to either an allergy to dairy products, or an inability to tolerate them, and if a reaction occurs after eating cheese, the two cases can be distinguished through the symptoms: []

Symptoms of milk allergy: Symptoms of milk allergy are diarrhea, nausea, sometimes vomiting, stomach cramps, bloating, and gases, in addition to skin rashes, hives, swelling of the lips and face, and wheezing or wheezing. narrowing of the throat, and difficulty swallowing.

Symptoms of lactose intolerance: People with lactose intolerance suffer from the inability to digest foods containing lactose well, and possible symptoms of this condition: nausea, cramps, gas, bloating, and diarrhea, while lactose intolerance can cause severe discomfort. However, it is not life threatening like allergies.

Frequently asked questions about cheese

What are the side effects of liquid cheese?

Liquid cheese is a poor source of protein, as 28 grams of liquid cheese contains less than 2 grams of proteins, and this amount is very low compared to many other types of soft cheese, and in this case protein should be obtained from other sources, and in addition to that, Liquid cheese has a relatively short shelf life, and although pasteurization kills dangerous microorganisms, the high content of liquid cheese with water increases the risk of microbial contamination. In general, liquid cheese should be consumed within two weeks of opening it and keeping it in the refrigerator.

What are the benefits of cheese for children

Some studies have shown that cheese is beneficial for bone health in children. A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2005, and conducted on a group of girls aged 10 to 12 years, indicated that increasing calcium intake by consuming cheese can be more beneficial for the accumulation of cortical bone mass than consuming supplements containing a similar amount of calcium

What are the benefits of roomy cheese?

There are no studies available on the benefits of Roumi cheese, which is a hard Egyptian cheese made from full-fat cow's milk, or from a mixture of cow and buffalo milk. The taste and texture of Roumi cheese varies according to the stage of the ripening process. It has a strong, salty, and slightly sharp flavor, and pepper is added to it. To enhance its flavour, Romano cheese is available in the market in different stages of maturity.]

What are the benefits of kashkaval cheese?

No information is available about the benefits of Kashkaval cheese, which is similar to Ras cheese, or the common Romani cheese in Egypt in its shape, texture, and flavor. It is produced in all countries of the Balkan Peninsula, and the best types of Kashkaval cheese are usually produced from sheep’s milk. Many factories make high-quality kashkaval cheese from buffalo and cow's milk.

What are the benefits of yellow cheese?

The name yellow cheese is given to several types of cheese, including cheddar cheese and kashkaval cheese,[] We mentioned earlier in this article some of the benefits of these cheeses, and in general it can be said that yellow cheese acquires this color because it contains carotenoids.[

To read more about the types of yellow cheese and its benefits, you can refer to the article Benefits of yellow cheese.

An overview of cheese

Cheese is often made from the milk of all cows, buffaloes, sheep, and goats, and is one of the