Is cheese fattening?
In this brief blog, we will address the query, “Is cheese fattening?” We will look at some health benefits of cheese. We will also discuss some potential health risks associated with cheese consumption.
Is cheese fattening?
No, there is no evidence that suggests that cheese is fattening. Cheese and other dairy products can even assist with weight loss if they are consumed as part of a calorie controlled eating plan.
Cheese can only result in weight gain if it is consumed in excess and you do not take initiative to burn the excess calories that you intake. People usually gain fat in various parts of their body if the calories intake exceeds the calories burned in what is known as caloric excess.
If you consume a high calorie diet and you are sedentary and are not doing enough exercise you will definitely gain weight. One pound of fat is equivalent to 3,500 calories and so for every 3,500 calories that you eat without burning you end up gaining one pound of fat.
Continue reading further to learn about some health risks of cheese but first let’s look at the health benefits of cheese.
What are the health benefits of cheese?
It is nutrient dense
Cheese is an excellent source of various nutrients such as calcium, fat and protein. It also contains good amounts of Vitamins such as Vitamin A, B12 together with various minerals notably phosphorus, zinc and riboflavin.
It is good for bone and muscle health
As previously mentioned, cheese is a good source of calcium as well as protein which are very important nutrients for building strong bones and muscles. Whey protein which is usually found in abundance in a lot of muscle-building supplements is as well in abundance in cheese.
It contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
Most cheeses that have high amounts of fats such as Brie and cheddar have decent amounts of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). CLA is a healthy fat that has been associated with the prevention of diseases such as heart disease, can help prevent obesity and also alleviates inflammation.
Cheddar cheese that is made using 100 percent grass fed animals contains double the amount of CLA as compared to conventional cheddar.
It can help to lower the blood pressure
Cheese as well as other dairy products are good sources of calcium which can assist in lowering the blood pressure. If you consume cheeses that have low amounts of fat and sodium in moderation as part of a healthy diet this can as well assist in reducing your blood pressure. Some good options are ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, feta and goat cheese.
It promotes gut health
Cheese as well as fermented foods such as yogurt usually contain probiotic bacteria which are good for the gut. Some studies have shown that such healthy gut bacteria can assist in keeping cholesterol levels healthy.
It can help protect the blood vessels
Studies have shown that cheese could as well be a source of an antioxidant known as glutathione which has been shown to help boost brain health.
Glutathione has also been said to assist the blood vessels to function much better.
What are some potential health risks of cheese?
It is high in calories
Depending on the type of cheese you eat , you can potentially intake about 100 cals in an ounce making cheese a high calorie food.
It is high in saturated fat
Cheese is also high in fat, including saturated fat. It is advised that you need to reduce your intake of saturated fat and therefore products such as cheese should be consumed in moderation.
It is high in salt
Many varieties of cheese are usually loaded with sodium and this can be problematic especially for people that have high blood pressure.
It is low in fiber
Cheese does not contain any dietary fiber. Research has shown that consumption of a diet that has high amounts of dairy which has no fiber can lead to constipation.
Conclusion
In this brief blog, we have addressed the query, “Is cheese fattening?” We have looked at some health benefits of cheese. We have also discussed some potential health risks associated with cheese consumption.
