
Blue cheese is a type of cheese known for its pungent smell and tangy flavour. It is made from the Penicillium Roqueforti bacterium, which gives it its characteristic blue spots and veins. Blue cheese is not only known for its unique taste but also its health benefits. It is rich in calcium, which is essential for healthy teeth and bones. Blue cheese is also a good source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. However, it is high in sodium, calories, and fats, so it should be consumed in moderation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Calcium | Blue cheese is rich in calcium, which is essential for healthy teeth and bones. |
| Other nutrients | Phosphorous, potassium, sodium, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin K2, zinc, antioxidants, bifidobacteria, lactic acid bacteria, peptides, fatty acids |
| Health benefits | May promote weight loss, improve heart health, boost cognitive function, prevent age-related memory decline, boost the immune system, improve bone density, prevent osteoporosis, lower risk of cardiovascular disease, prevent obesity, control blood pressure, prevent cholesterol buildup |
| Risks | High in sodium, calories, saturated fat; may trigger allergies, headaches or migraines; may carry risk of foodborne illnesses if made from unpasteurized milk; may contain harmful mycotoxins if spoiled |
| Texture | Creamy, semi-soft, crumbly |
| Flavor | Salty, sweet, sharp, tangy |
| Odor | Pungent |
| Types | Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Blue Stilton, Cabrales, Danablu, Cambozola |
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What You'll Learn

Blue cheese is a good source of calcium
Blue cheese is a type of cheese known for its pungent smell and tangy flavour. It is a blue-veined mould cheese originating in France and made from the Penicillium Roqueforti bacterium, which gives it its characteristic blue spots and veins. Despite its strong flavour and aroma, blue cheese is revered for its nutritional value, particularly its high calcium content.
A 1-ounce (28-gram) serving of blue cheese provides 10% of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of calcium. This serving size also contains 100 calories, with 72% of the calories coming from dietary fat and 24% from protein. While blue cheese is a good source of calcium, it is important to note that calcium is not easily absorbed without vitamin D. Pairing blue cheese with vitamin D-rich foods like mushrooms, eggs, salmon, or canned tuna can enhance the absorption of calcium.
In addition to its high calcium content, blue cheese offers several other health benefits. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, including phosphorous, potassium, sodium, and vitamin A. Blue cheese also contains substances like spermidine, which have been linked to improved heart health and increased longevity in animal studies. Furthermore, blue cheese has anti-inflammatory properties and may help boost cognitive function and protect against age-related memory decline.
While blue cheese provides numerous health benefits, it should be consumed in moderation due to its high levels of sodium, calories, and saturated fat. Excessive consumption of blue cheese can lead to weight gain, blood pressure issues, and an increased risk of heart disease. It is also important to note that blue cheese may trigger allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to mould or dairy products.
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It is safe to consume in moderation
Blue cheese is a good source of calcium, which is essential for healthy teeth and bones. A 1-ounce (28-gram) serving of blue cheese provides 10% of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of calcium. Calcium is responsible for the density and strength of bones. Consuming adequate calcium helps prevent osteoporosis and bone-related health issues.
Blue cheese also contains other vitamins and minerals, such as phosphorous, potassium, sodium, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin K2, and antioxidants. These nutrients may help promote immune, cardiovascular, and cognitive functioning. Additionally, blue cheese has anti-inflammatory properties and may help control blood pressure and prevent cholesterol buildup.
However, it is important to consume blue cheese in moderation due to its high levels of sodium, calories, and saturated fat. Excess consumption of these nutrients can lead to weight gain, blood pressure issues, and an increased risk of heart disease. Blue cheese is also high in salt and can be a trigger for headaches and migraines. It should be avoided by those with allergies to mold or dairy products, and pregnant women are advised to consume pasteurized blue cheese to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.
In conclusion, blue cheese is safe to consume in moderation for most adults. It offers a range of health benefits, particularly for bone and teeth health, due to its high calcium content. However, it should be consumed in moderation and may need to be avoided by certain individuals due to potential health risks.
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It has anti-inflammatory properties
Blue cheese is a good source of calcium, an essential mineral that is responsible for the density and strength of bones. It is also vital for forming tooth enamel, which helps protect the more vulnerable parts of the teeth from extreme temperatures.
Blue cheese has anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers have speculated that consuming blue cheese may help reduce inflammation associated with atherosclerosis. This may help explain the "French Paradox", where French people have low rates of cardiovascular death despite consuming higher quantities of cheese.
Blue cheese contains the mold Penicillium Roqueforti, which has been shown to have powerful anti-inflammatory effects. It can also help control blood pressure and prevent cholesterol buildup.
In addition to calcium, blue cheese contains other vitamins and minerals that may help promote cardiovascular and cognitive functioning. These include phosphorous, potassium, sodium, and vitamin A. However, people should consume blue cheese in moderation due to its high levels of saturated fat, calories, and sodium.
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Blue cheese is high in sodium, calories and fat
Blue cheese is a tasty treat, but it is also a food that should be eaten in moderation. While it is an excellent source of calcium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, and vitamins A and D, it is also high in sodium, calories and fat.
A 1-ounce (28-gram) serving of blue cheese has 100 calories, 6.1 grams of protein, and 8.1 grams of fat. Of these calories, 72% come from fat, 24% from protein, and the remaining from carbohydrates. This means that blue cheese has a higher percentage of calories from fat than from protein.
The high fat content in blue cheese is a concern for some, as it is a saturated fat that can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. However, researchers believe that the fat in blue cheese and other dairy products may have a neutral or even positive effect on cardiovascular health. A 2016 study found that feeding spermidine, a substance found in blue cheese, to mice and rats was associated with improved heart health and increased longevity.
Blue cheese is also high in sodium, with a 1-ounce serving providing 14% of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of sodium. For this reason, people who are prone to headaches or migraines may want to limit or avoid blue cheese, as aged cheeses are a common headache trigger. Additionally, anyone following a low-calorie or low-fat diet should limit their consumption of blue cheese or opt for reduced-fat varieties.
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It is beneficial for dental health
Blue cheese is a good source of calcium, an essential mineral that plays a role in maintaining dental health. Calcium is vital for forming tooth enamel, which acts as a protective barrier for the teeth, shielding them from extreme temperatures. Consuming blue cheese helps prevent and fight plaque and tooth decay, thereby contributing to overall dental health.
Blue cheese, known for its pungent smell and tangy flavour, is particularly high in calcium compared to other cheeses. A 1-ounce (28-gram) serving of blue cheese provides 10% of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of calcium. This serving size provides approximately 150 mg of calcium, contributing to the daily calcium intake requirements, which vary by age and gender.
The calcium content in blue cheese is beneficial for dental health in several ways. Firstly, calcium promotes the formation of tooth enamel, which is the hard outer surface of the teeth. Enamel acts as a protective layer, insulating the teeth from sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures. Secondly, blue cheese consumption helps prevent and combat plaque buildup and tooth decay, further enhancing dental health.
In addition to its benefits for dental health, blue cheese also offers advantages for bone health. Calcium is essential for bone density and strength, and adequate calcium intake is associated with increased bone mass. Consuming blue cheese may help prevent bone-related issues and osteoporosis by providing the body with the calcium necessary for optimal bone health.
While blue cheese provides these dental health benefits, it is important to consume it in moderation due to its high levels of saturated fat, calories, and sodium. Additionally, those with allergies to mould or sensitivities to dairy products should exercise caution when consuming blue cheese.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, blue cheese is a good source of calcium. A 1-ounce (28-gram) serving of blue cheese provides 10% of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of calcium.
Calcium is essential for healthy teeth and bones. It is responsible for the density and strength of bones and helps to prevent osteoporosis. Calcium also plays a role in forming tooth enamel, which protects the teeth from very hot or cold temperatures.
Blue cheese is a good source of protein and vitamins A, D, K2, and B. It also contains minerals like phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc. Blue cheese has anti-inflammatory properties and may help to boost cognitive function and protect against age-related memory decline. However, it is high in sodium, calories, and saturated fat, so it should be consumed in moderation.

























