Cheese is made by extracting casein from milk and fermenting it with microbes and enzymes. Its history dates back to ancient Egypt around 2300 BC, as evidenced by its discovery in ancient Egyptian pottery. Cheese is rich in protein, fats, and vitamins, and above all, it’s a delicious fermented food. Let’s now explore the amazing benefits we can expect from consuming nutrient-rich cheese.
Promotes Bone Health
Cheese is often called white meat because it is as rich in protein as meat and contains abundant calcium, minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients essential for survival. Cheese is especially rich in calcium, easily digestible, and absorbable, like anchovies or milk. It is known to help in children’s growth and bone health during their growth period. It also has excellent effects on strengthening bone density and preventing osteoporosis-related disease.
Boosting Immune System
Cheese contains most of the nutrients in milk, making it a food that can help enhance immunity, a well-known benefit of milk. When the seasons change, our body’s immunity weakens, and the probability of being infected by viruses or bacteria increases. Therefore, it is crucial to consume nutrients to strengthen immunity, and cheese contains a peptide, a compound of amino acids that activates the immune system, to help during seasonal changes.
Antibacterial Effects
Eating cheese can provide antibacterial effects. Cheese’s antibacterial substances differ from regular antibiotics and are particularly effective against resistant pathogens. If you are already taking medicine for antibacterial purposes, the quick antibacterial effect of cheese can reduce resistance to the medicine. In particular, the antibacterial substance found in mozzarella cheese is known to have a rapid antibacterial impact.
For Vascular Health
Foods high in sodium can lead to high blood pressure and damage to blood vessels. According to a study by the University of Pennsylvania, natural antioxidants found in cheese can help protect blood vessels from high salt levels. Among the experiment participants, those who consumed high-sodium food and cheese together showed higher sensitivity in their microvascular than those who only consumed sodium.
Alleviates Hangovers
Cheese is rich in amino acids. The amino acids in cheese are similar in composition to those required by the human body, making them easy to digest and highly absorbable. Among the amino acids in cheese, methionine helps break down alcohol, which can significantly help relieve hangovers. It also contains vitamin B2, B1, minerals, and folic acid. There seems to be a reason why cheese is often served with wine.
Anti-cancer Properties
Vitamin A and peptides contained in cheese have antioxidant effects. This can inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. The lactoferrin protein contained in cheese is reported to increase the amount of glutathione, which has anti-cancer effects. Cheese also contains conjugated linoleic acid, which is effective in preventing cancer. However, excessive consumption of cheese can lead to an increased risk of breast and prostate cancers, according to some studies. Overconsumption of anything can be harmful.
Prevents Tooth Decay
The enamel in human teeth is made up of calcium and phosphorus. Inside the oral cavity, demineralization, where minerals such as calcium and phosphorus are leached from the teeth, and remineralization, where minerals in saliva replenish the tooth minerals, continuously occur. The calcium and phosphorus in cheese dissolve into the saliva, aiding in the remineralization of the teeth and ultimately preventing cavities. Consuming cheese can be beneficial if brushing your teeth isn’t easy after a meal.
Improves Digestive Health
It’s a well-known fact that cheese is rich in lactobacillus and bifidobacteria. Many people consume fermented dairy products to improve symptoms of constipation. Cheese, a fermented dairy product, contains many bacteria that can help intestinal health. Lactobacillus and bifidobacteria inhibit harmful bacteria in the intestines and promote the proliferation of beneficial bacteria, stimulating bowel movements. Thus, they can promote the prevention and improvement of constipation.
Beneficial for Diabetes
Cheese is a food that can provide excellent benefits even to diabetics. Cheese can ensure the lowest blood sugar level, and eating a slice of cheese can prevent it when you’re worried about a hypoglycemic shock. Also, by eating cheese, you can consume a substance called trans-palmitoleic acid, which is known to avoid diabetes. As it’s composed of unsaturated fatty acids, it can also lower cholesterol levels. Therefore, those who are concerned about diabetes should regularly consume cheese.
Eye Health
The rich vitamin A in cheese can also protect eye health. Vitamin A can create rhodopsin and strengthen the mucous membrane on the eye’s surface. The more rhodopsin pigment in the retina of the eye, the less likely the eye is to fatigue, and vision can be maintained. Also, vitamin A can reduce the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration related to aging. Be aware that night blindness can occur if vitamin A is deficient.
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