Patrick Oconnell
Feta cheese is a traditional Greek cheese made from sheep's and goat's milk. It is widely recognised as one of the tastiest cheeses worldwide and is used in many Mediterranean dishes. Feta is a good source of calcium, protein, and essential vitamins. It also contains beneficial microbes, including yeasts and bacteria, such as Lactobacillus plantarum, which are known as probiotics. Probiotics are live, friendly bacteria that can benefit your health. They promote a healthy gut and support immune system function. So, is feta cheese a good probiotic?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Probiotic | Yes, feta cheese is a good probiotic as it contains Lactobacillus plantarum, which accounts for about 48% of its bacteria. |
| Probiotic Benefits | Feta cheese contains friendly bacteria that promote immune and intestinal health, in addition to their anti-inflammatory effects. |
| Other Health Benefits | Feta cheese is a good source of calcium, protein, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin A, phosphorus, and iron. It is also a low-calorie, low-fat cheese. |
| Drawbacks | Feta cheese has high amounts of sodium and saturated fat, which can raise blood pressure. It also has a high salt content. |
| Taste | Feta cheese is known for its salty and tangy flavor. |
| Origin | Feta cheese is a traditional Greek cheese made from sheep and goat milk. |
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What You'll Learn
Feta cheese is a good source of calcium, protein, and vitamins
Feta cheese is an excellent source of calcium, which is essential for maintaining healthy teeth and bones. It also contains high levels of phosphorus, which is important for bone health. Consuming phosphorus and calcium together has been linked to improved bone density and osteoporosis prevention. Feta cheese is also a good source of protein, which helps to maintain bone density and prevent osteoporosis.
In addition to calcium and protein, feta cheese contains several B vitamins, which support a healthy nervous system, skin, and energy production. It also has decent amounts of vitamins A and K, folate, pantothenic acid, iron, and magnesium. Feta cheese also contains beneficial bacteria and fatty acids, including conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been shown to help reduce body fat and improve body composition in the long term.
However, it's important to note that feta cheese also has high amounts of sodium and saturated fat. Its high sodium content can contribute to high blood pressure, which has been linked to health issues such as kidney disease, stroke, and heart disease. Therefore, it is important to consume feta cheese in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
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It contains Lactobacillus plantarum, a probiotic bacteria
Feta cheese is a soft, white, brined cheese with a tangy and sharp flavour. It is well-known for being one of the oldest and tastiest cheeses worldwide. It is also a good source of nutrients such as calcium, protein, and vitamins.
Feta cheese contains beneficial microbes, including yeasts and bacteria, such as Lactobacillus plantarum, a probiotic bacteria. Lactobacillus plantarum accounts for about 48% of the bacteria in feta cheese. This bacteria can help promote immune system and gut health by protecting the intestinal tract from harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella. It also increases the production of compounds that inhibit the inflammatory response, providing anti-inflammatory benefits.
Test-tube studies have shown that the bacteria and yeast strains found in feta cheese can grow at a low pH, allowing them to survive the harsh conditions in the stomach and reach the part of the gut where they are most beneficial. Probiotic yeasts in feta may also help to lower the pH in the stomach, which is key to maintaining a healthy gut.
Feta cheese is a good source of probiotics, which are live, friendly bacteria that can provide health benefits. Probiotics have been shown to promote a healthy gut and support immune system function.
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Probiotic yeasts in feta may lower stomach pH, aiding gut health
Feta cheese is a soft, white, brined cheese with a tangy and sharp flavour. It is traditionally made from sheep's milk or a mixture of sheep and goat's milk. Feta is a good source of calcium, protein, and vitamins, but it also contains high amounts of sodium and saturated fat. As such, it is recommended to consume feta in moderation.
Feta cheese contains beneficial microbes, including yeasts and bacteria, such as Lactobacillus plantarum, which accounts for about 48% of its bacteria. These probiotics are live, friendly bacteria that can have positive effects on health. They can promote a healthy gut and support immune system function by protecting the intestinal tract from harmful bacteria. Additionally, they can increase the production of compounds that inhibit the inflammatory response, providing anti-inflammatory benefits.
The presence of probiotic yeasts in feta cheese may lower the pH in the stomach, which is beneficial for gut health. Test-tube studies have shown that these probiotic yeasts can grow at low pH levels, increasing their likelihood of surviving the harsh conditions in the stomach and reaching the part of the gut where they are most effective. This makes feta a potentially good probiotic food.
In addition to its probiotic content, feta cheese has other potential health benefits. It contains calcium, which is important for bone health and may offer protection against certain types of cancer. Feta is also a source of riboflavin and vitamin B2, which are known to help reduce migraines and chronic headaches. Furthermore, the cheese contains a fatty acid called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been linked to improved body composition by reducing body fat and increasing lean mass in animal studies.
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Feta is a low-calorie cheese with anti-inflammatory benefits
Feta cheese is a traditional Greek cheese made from sheep's and goat's milk. It is a soft, white, brined cheese with a tangy and sharp flavour when made with sheep's milk and a milder taste when made with goat's milk. Feta is a low-calorie cheese, with one ounce (28 grams) containing 69 to 74 calories, which is lower than other aged cheeses like cheddar or parmesan. It is also a good source of vitamins and minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin K, folate, pantothenic acid, iron, and magnesium.
In addition to its nutritional benefits, feta cheese has been found to have anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of beneficial microbes, including bacteria such as Lactobacillus plantarum. These probiotics can help promote a healthy gut and support immune system function by protecting the intestinal tract from harmful bacteria. They also increase the production of compounds that inhibit the inflammatory response, thereby providing anti-inflammatory benefits. Test-tube studies have shown that the bacteria and yeast strains in feta can survive extreme conditions in the gut, such as low pH levels, making them more effective in promoting gut health.
The calcium in feta cheese also contributes to its anti-inflammatory benefits. Calcium is essential for maintaining strong teeth and bones and has been linked to a reduced risk of certain types of cancer. Feta is also a good source of protein, which, along with the fat content, can help keep you feeling full and satisfied for longer. However, it is important to consume feta in moderation due to its high sodium and saturated fat content.
Overall, feta cheese is a delicious and nutritious addition to any meal, offering various health benefits, including its anti-inflammatory properties. Its probiotic content makes it an excellent choice for promoting gut health and supporting overall well-being.
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Feta cheese may have cancer-protective effects
Feta cheese is a traditional Greek cheese made mostly from sheep and goat milk. It is known for its soft, crumbly texture, salty flavour, and slight tang. Feta cheese is a good source of nutrients like calcium, protein, and vitamins. It also contains probiotics, which are live, friendly bacteria that can benefit gut health and support the immune system.
While feta cheese has a high sodium content and saturated fat, which should be limited, it is lower in fat and calories than other aged cheeses like cheddar or parmesan. Feta cheese also contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a fatty acid found in animal products, which has been shown to have anti-cancer effects. A 2021 meta-analysis of data from previous studies found that low-fat dairy products appeared to protect premenopausal women from breast cancer. Another meta-analysis published in the same year concluded that adult calcium consumption was unlikely to be associated with a higher risk of breast cancer.
Furthermore, a 2020 study of African-American women reported that calcium intake was not associated with the risk of breast cancer. A 2016 large Swedish prospective study and an accompanying meta-analysis of data from previous studies also found a protective effect of serum calcium against breast cancer. While the link between calcium and breast cancer is not fully understood, moderate to moderately high dietary intake of calcium, especially in childhood and young adulthood, may be protective against breast cancer.
Overall, while more research is needed to fully understand the cancer-protective effects of feta cheese, its nutritional benefits, including its probiotic content and low-fat content, suggest that it may have a positive impact on cancer prevention and overall health. However, it is important to consume feta cheese in moderation as part of a balanced diet and to be mindful of its high sodium and saturated fat content.
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Frequently asked questions
Feta is a soft, white, and brined cheese with a tangy and sharp flavor. It is one of the oldest and most well-known Greek cheeses, traditionally made from sheep's or goat's milk.
Yes, Feta cheese is a good source of probiotics. It contains beneficial microbes, including yeasts and bacteria such as Lactobacillus plantarum, which promote a healthy gut and support immune system function.
Feta cheese is a healthy choice as it is lower in fat and calories compared to other cheeses like Cheddar or Parmesan. It is also a good source of calcium, protein, and vitamins. Feta's probiotics may aid gut health and have anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, it has cancer-protective effects and can be used to treat headaches and migraines.
While Feta cheese offers potential health benefits, it also has high amounts of sodium and saturated fat, which should be limited in one's diet. The high sodium content can raise blood pressure, and consuming excessive saturated fat is generally not recommended.
