Andy Montoya
Cheese is often associated with being unhealthy due to its high fat, sodium, and calorie content. However, aged cheese has several health benefits and is a great source of protein, calcium, and other nutrients. The aging process helps to restore beneficial compounds that are destroyed during pasteurization, and the longer aging time reduces lactose content, making it suitable for lactose-intolerant individuals. Aged cheeses like cheddar, brie, and parmesan may boost life expectancy and prevent liver cancer due to the presence of the compound spermidine. Additionally, the high calcium content in aged cheese promotes bone health and may help prevent osteoporosis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dental Health | Aged cheese helps return plaque pH to neutral after consuming sugary foods |
| Hypertension and Cardiovascular Health | The presence of calcium and bioactive peptides in aged cheese lowers the risk of obesity and cardiovascular health |
| Rheumatoid arthritis | Probiotic cheese reduces inflammation and enhances the microbiota in the stomach |
| Lactose intolerance | Aged cheese is very low in lactose and can be tolerated by people with lactose intolerance |
| Bone health | Blue cheese is a good source of calcium, which is necessary for optimal bone health |
| Lower risk of liver cancer | Aged cheese contains a compound known as spermidine, which stops damaged liver cells from replicating |
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What You'll Learn
Aged cheese may help prevent liver fibrosis and liver cancer
Cheese is a dairy product that comes in hundreds of textures and flavours. While it has a reputation for being unhealthy, certain types of cheese are known to have health benefits. Aged cheese, in particular, has been found to be beneficial in several ways.
Aged cheeses like cheddar, brie, and parmesan contain a compound known as spermidine, which stops damaged liver cells from replicating. This compound has been found to prevent liver fibrosis, which is the accumulation of scar tissue that occurs in most diseases of the organ. It also helps prevent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer.
The process of ageing cheese helps restore beneficial compounds that are destroyed during pasteurization. The lactic acid formed during ageing destroys pathogenic bacteria but does not harm probiotics, so aged cheese has a high probiotic content. Aged gouda, cheddar, emmental, and blue cheeses are especially high in probiotics.
In addition to their potential liver health benefits, aged cheeses may also have positive effects on dental health. Chewing a piece of aged cheese after consuming sugary foods can help return plaque pH to neutral more effectively than fresh or young cheese.
Furthermore, aged cheeses are associated with lower risks of obesity and cardiovascular issues. This is linked to the presence of calcium and bioactive peptides, which can also help lower blood pressure. While cheese is often considered high in fat, sodium, and calories, it can be a good source of protein, calcium, and other nutrients when consumed in moderation.
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Aged cheese can be beneficial for dental health
While cheese is often associated with being unhealthy, aged cheese can offer several health benefits, including improved dental health.
Aged cheeses, such as cheddar, brie, parmesan, gouda, and Swiss cheese, have been found to be beneficial for dental health. Chewing a piece of aged cheese after consuming sugary foods can help return plaque pH to neutral, reducing the risk of dental cavities. The aging process in cheese production destroys pathogenic bacteria while preserving probiotics, resulting in a higher probiotic content. This balance of bacteria promotes dental health by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth.
In addition to their dental benefits, aged cheeses are also lower in lactose due to the extended aging process. This makes them more easily digestible for lactose-intolerant individuals, who can often consume aged cheeses without experiencing adverse reactions.
Furthermore, aged cheeses are rich in calcium and phosphorus, essential for bone formation and health. Regular consumption of aged cheeses may contribute to improved bone mass and strength, potentially reducing the risk of bone-related health issues.
While aged cheese offers these health benefits, it is important to practice moderation in consumption due to its high-fat content. Nevertheless, when included as part of a balanced diet, aged cheese can be a nutritious and tasty addition.
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Aged cheese may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
While cheese has a reputation for being unhealthy, new research has found that aged cheeses like cheddar, brie, and parmesan may have health benefits. One study from Texas A&M University found that these aged cheeses contain a compound known as spermidine, which stops damaged liver cells from replicating. This can help prevent liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common form of liver cancer. The study found that the life expectancy of mice treated with spermidine increased by 25%.
In addition to these potential anti-aging properties, aged cheese may also help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. This is due to the presence of calcium and bioactive peptides, which can lower blood pressure. Studies have found that soft cheeses have low concentrations of these peptides, while semi-hard and hard cheeses have average concentrations, and extra-hard cheeses have high concentrations. Therefore, aged cheeses, which tend to be harder in texture, are likely to contain higher levels of these beneficial peptides.
Furthermore, the aging process itself can enhance the nutritional profile of cheese. For example, the lactic acid formed during aging destroys pathogenic bacteria while preserving probiotics. Aged gouda, cheddar, emmental, and blue cheeses are especially high in probiotics. The aging process also helps to restore beneficial compounds that are lost during pasteurization.
While more research is needed to confirm the potential health benefits of aged cheese, initial findings suggest that it may be a nutritious addition to a balanced diet when consumed in moderation.
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Aged cheese is a good source of calcium
Cheese is a dairy product that comes in hundreds of textures and flavours. While it is often seen as unhealthy, cheese can be a good source of protein, calcium, and several other nutrients. Eating cheese may help prevent heart disease and osteoporosis. However, some cheeses are more nutritious than others.
Blue cheese, made from cow's, goat's, or sheep's milk, is also a good source of calcium. A 1-ounce (28-gram) serving of blue cheese made with whole milk provides a good amount of calcium, which is necessary for optimal bone health and may help prevent bone-related health issues.
In addition to being a good source of calcium, aged cheeses have other health benefits. For example, the aging process helps to restore beneficial compounds that are destroyed during pasteurization, such as probiotics, which are high in aged cheeses like Gouda, cheddar, Emmental, and blue cheese. Aged cheeses also have higher preventive effects against dental cavities than fresh and young cheeses. Furthermore, the presence of calcium and bioactive peptides in aged cheeses has been linked to a lower risk of obesity and improved cardiovascular health.
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Aged cheese is high in probiotics
While cheese has a reputation for being unhealthy, aged cheese can actually be good for you. The ageing process helps to restore beneficial compounds that are destroyed during pasteurization, and the lactic acid formed during ageing destroys pathogenic bacteria without harming probiotics. This means that aged cheeses have a high probiotic content.
Aged cheeses such as gouda, cheddar, emmental, and blue cheese are especially high in probiotics. These cheeses are also high in calcium, which is necessary for optimal bone health and may help prevent bone-related health issues. Since blue cheese is made from the mould Penicillium, it has a distinctive odour and a bold, tangy flavour.
In addition to being a good source of calcium, eating cheese may help prevent heart disease and osteoporosis. This is due to the presence of calcium and bioactive peptides, which can lower blood pressure. Aged cheeses have also been shown to reduce the risk of dental cavities.
Aged cheeses are also lower in lactose, and most people who are lactose intolerant can usually tolerate them. Parmesan, for example, is aged for at least 12 months, which helps to kill harmful bacteria and produce a complex flavour. The final product is loaded with nutrients and may promote bone health.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, aged cheese is healthier than fresh cheese.
Aged cheeses like cheddar, brie, gouda, and parmesan are rich in calcium and bioactive peptides, which are good for dental health and lowering blood pressure. They are also loaded with nutrients and probiotics.
Cheese is made by adding acid or bacteria to milk and then aging or processing the solid parts.
Some examples of aged cheese include cheddar, brie, gouda, parmesan, and emmental.
Aged cheeses have been found to boost life expectancy and prevent liver cancer. They may also help prevent heart disease and osteoporosis.
