20% off first subscription with code FAF20

Christmas shop now open

 
Back to all articles

Could cheese really be good for you?

Words by Rachel

11 July 2017 | 

3 mins

For years cheese has been vilified as a fattening indulgence, only to be enjoyed in slithers. We all know the Boxing Day guilt that follows overdoing it with the Christmas cheeseboard. But new research shows that we don’t have to feel so bad for enjoying the yellow stuff after all. Get your cheese knife at the ready and check out these 5 health benefits of eating cheese. Number five might surprise you…

1. Full of the good stuff
While most cheese does contain a significant amount of fat, both good and bad, it’s also packed with essential nutrients including protein, vitamins and minerals. Many cheeses are great sources of Vitamins A, B2 and B12, as well as minerals such as calcium and magnesium. It also contains CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) which is full of antioxidants and is reported to lower cholesterol.

2. Boosts your immune system
Scientists in Finland recently found that a daily intake of cheese can improve the immune system. Their experiment showed that the probiotic bacteria helps tackle age-related changes in the immune system of people aged 70 and above. This boost can reduce chronic inflammation and prevent the development of infectious diseases. No harm in starting the process a little early.

3. Helps prevent liver disease
A research project conducted by Texas A&M university has found that spermidine, a compound found in cheese, mushroom and legumes, has properties that can reduce the risk of liver cancer. When researchers gave animal models an oral supplement of spermidine they found that they lived longer and were less likely to have liver fibrosis and cancerous liver tumours. “It’s a dramatic increase in lifespan of animal models, as much as 25 percent,” said Leyuan Liu, PhD, assistant professor at the Texas A&M Institute of Biosciences and Technology’s Center for Translational Cancer Research. “In human terms, that would mean that instead of living to about 81 years old, the average American could live to be over 100.”

4. Keeps your smile bright
We all know that snacking on sugary treats can be really bad for dental health. Cheese is a great alternative to carb or sugar heavy snacks as it can actually help reduce the risk of cavities. Research has shown that when we eat cheese the pH level in the mouth rises. The higher the pH level, the lower the risk of developing cavities. “It looks like dairy does the mouth good,” says Academy of General Dentistry spokesperson Dr. Seung-Hee Rhee.

5. Heart healthy?
This is one that’s up for debate. For many years scientists and cheese connoisseurs alike have battled with the ‘French Paradox’. In the past the saturated fat found in cheese has been linked to poor heart health. However, in France the traditional diet is high in cheese and other saturated fat rich products, but the population reports low levels of coronary heart disease. New research has suggested that cheese could be the key to lowering cholesterol, hence the healthy hearts of cheese enthusiasts.

Now, we’re not saying you should go and gorge yourself on some goat’s cheese, we believe eating everything in moderation is best. For us cheese is just another part of a well balanced diet. If we’ve made you peckish, head over to our cheese page where you can find everything from classic Cheddar to creamy Stilton. We’d love to hear what you think about these nutritional benefits of cheese.

More to explore: