Frederic Melton
Feta and mozzarella are both popular cheeses with distinct characteristics and health benefits. While feta is a Greek white cheese with a salty and tangy flavour, mozzarella is a soft, mild-tasting cheese with a higher moisture content. This comparison explores the nutritional profiles and health impacts of these cheeses to determine which is the healthier option.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sodium | Mozzarella is lower in sodium than feta cheese |
| Calories | Mozzarella has 20% more calories than feta cheese |
| Probiotics | Mozzarella contains probiotics that may boost the immune system |
| Fat | Mozzarella has 17% more saturated fat than feta cheese |
| Protein | Mozzarella has 52% more protein than feta cheese |
| Sugar | Feta cheese has less sugar than mozzarella |
| Carbohydrates | Feta cheese has more carbohydrates than mozzarella |
| Vitamins | Feta cheese is richer in B complex vitamins, while mozzarella is richer in vitamin A |
| Phosphorus | Mozzarella has twice as much phosphorus as feta cheese |
| Iron | Feta cheese has 225% more iron than mozzarella |
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What You'll Learn
- Feta is a Greek cheese, often packaged in brine, making it high in sodium
- Mozzarella is lower in sodium and calories than most cheeses
- Feta has a richer vitamin profile, including B2, B5, B6, and B12
- Mozzarella is richer in vitamin A, zinc, phosphorus, calcium, and protein
- Mozzarella contains probiotics that may boost your immune system
Feta is a Greek cheese, often packaged in brine, making it high in sodium
Feta is a soft, salty white cheese that originated in Greece. It is typically made from sheep's or goat's milk. Sheep's milk feta has a tangy and sharp taste, while goat's milk feta is milder.
Feta is often packaged in brine to preserve its freshness, which makes it high in sodium. A diet high in sodium can lead to water retention, high blood pressure, and heart and kidney diseases in the long run. Feta's sodium content is linked to an increased risk of hypertension development. Therefore, when choosing between feta and mozzarella, mozzarella is considered a healthier option as it is lower in sodium.
Feta cheese has a rich vitamin profile and is a good source of B2, B5, B6, and B12 vitamins. It also contains lactobacillus bacteria, which improves overall gut microflora and helps with digestion. Feta is also a rich source of calcium and phosphorus, which promotes overall bone health and reduces osteoporosis damage to bones.
Feta is also lower in calories than many other cheeses, and a 2019 study found that eating CLA-containing foods such as feta may help reduce body fat. However, more research is needed in this area.
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Mozzarella is lower in sodium and calories than most cheeses
Mozzarella is a soft cheese that is typically lower in sodium and calories than most other cheeses. This makes it a healthier option for those looking to reduce their sodium intake or manage their weight.
Mozzarella's lower sodium content is particularly notable when compared to other popular cheeses. For example, it contains less than half the sodium of feta cheese, which can be high in sodium due to its packaging in brine to preserve freshness. Mozzarella's sodium content is approximately 138 milligrams per serving, contributing to about 6% of the recommended daily intake.
In addition to its lower sodium content, mozzarella also tends to be lower in calories than other cheeses. While all cheeses contain calories, and mozzarella is no exception, it generally has fewer calories per serving. This can make it a more weight-conscious choice for those looking to manage their calorie intake.
Mozzarella also contains beneficial bacteria that act as probiotics, including strains of Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus fermentum. These probiotics have been linked to improved gut health, enhanced immunity, and reduced inflammation. Additionally, mozzarella is a good source of protein and calcium, which are essential nutrients for overall health.
When comparing mozzarella to feta cheese, it's important to consider their relative nutritional profiles. While feta cheese has a richer vitamin profile, with higher levels of B-complex vitamins, mozzarella stands out for its higher content of vitamin A, proteins, zinc, phosphorus, and calcium. Feta cheese also has a higher iron content than mozzarella.
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Feta has a richer vitamin profile, including B2, B5, B6, and B12
Feta cheese and mozzarella cheese have some similarities and differences in their nutritional content and health impacts. While mozzarella is lower in sodium, fat, and cholesterol, feta has a richer vitamin profile, including B2, B5, B6, and B12.
Feta cheese, a Greek staple, is typically made from sheep's or goat's milk and has a tangy, sharp taste. It is often packaged in brine to preserve freshness, resulting in higher sodium content. However, feta generally has lower calories than other cheeses. It is a good source of calcium and phosphorus, promoting bone health and reducing osteoporosis damage. Feta also contains lactobacillus bacteria, aiding digestion and improving gut health. Additionally, it provides healthy fats like conjugated linoleic acids with potential anticarcinogenic and anti-diabetic benefits.
Mozzarella, on the other hand, is a soft cheese with a mild flavour. It has lower sodium levels than most cheeses, including feta. Mozzarella is also lower in fat and cholesterol, and it is a good source of protein, calcium, and phosphorus. These nutrients are essential for optimal health and play a role in bone health. Like feta, mozzarella contains probiotics, specifically Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus fermentum, which may boost the immune system and help fight infections.
While both cheeses offer nutritional benefits, feta stands out for its richer vitamin profile, particularly in vitamins B2, B5, B6, and B12. However, it is important to consider individual dietary needs and preferences when choosing between the two, as mozzarella's lower sodium and fat content may be preferable for some.
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Mozzarella is richer in vitamin A, zinc, phosphorus, calcium, and protein
Mozzarella and feta cheese are both high in calcium, but mozzarella has a higher calcium content, with 575mg of calcium per 100 grams compared to feta's 493mg. Calcium is an essential nutrient for bone health and reducing osteoporosis damage. Mozzarella is also a good source of phosphorus, which further contributes to bone health. Feta cheese, on the other hand, has about half the amount of phosphorus compared to mozzarella, with 337mg in feta versus 524mg in mozzarella.
Mozzarella is also richer in protein, with 52% more protein than feta cheese per 100 grams. This makes it a good choice for those seeking a high-protein food option. Additionally, mozzarella contains zinc, an essential mineral that plays a role in various biological processes and supports overall health.
While both cheeses contain Vitamin A, mozzarella has a higher content, with 58% more Vitamin A than feta cheese per 100 grams. Vitamin A is important for maintaining various bodily functions, including vision, immune function, and cell growth.
Mozzarella is also generally lower in sodium and calories compared to feta cheese, making it a healthier option in terms of reducing the risk of hypertension and maintaining a balanced diet. However, it's important to note that feta cheese has a richer profile of certain B vitamins, including B2, B5, B6, and B12.
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Mozzarella contains probiotics that may boost your immune system
Mozzarella is a soft cheese that is typically lower in sodium and calories than most other cheeses. It is also a good source of protein and calcium. However, one of its most notable health benefits is its probiotic content.
Mozzarella contains bacteria that act as probiotics, including strains of Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus fermentum. These probiotics are known to improve gut health and regularity, promote a healthy immune response, and reduce inflammation. For example, one study found that consuming Lactobacillus fermentum daily for three months significantly reduced the duration of respiratory infections.
The probiotics in mozzarella may also help strengthen your immune system and improve your body's ability to fight infections. While more research is needed to confirm this, initial findings suggest that dairy products containing these probiotics, such as mozzarella, can positively impact your immune system.
In addition to its probiotic content, mozzarella also has a higher moisture content and lower total fat than many other cheeses. It has lower amounts of saturated fat, which is beneficial as consuming too much can increase the risk of heart disease. Mozzarella is also a source of calcium, phosphorus, and zinc, which are essential for bone health and may even help prevent osteoporosis.
When comparing mozzarella to feta cheese, mozzarella is generally considered the healthier option due to its lower sodium content. Feta cheese is often packaged in brine, resulting in a higher sodium level, which can increase the risk factors for hypertension. However, feta cheese has a richer vitamin profile, containing higher levels of B2, B5, B6, and B12 vitamins.
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Frequently asked questions
Feta cheese is saltier and has more sodium than mozzarella, which can lead to an increased risk of hypertension. Mozzarella is also richer in proteins, zinc, phosphorus, calcium, and vitamin A. However, feta cheese has a richer B vitamin profile and is lower in calories.
Mozzarella is lower in calories and fat than feta cheese, so it may be a better option for weight loss.
Both feta and mozzarella contain lactobacilli, which are probiotics that improve gut health and digestion.
Both cheeses are high in calcium, but mozzarella has 17% more calcium per 100 grams. Mozzarella also has more phosphorus, which is important for bone health.
This is subjective and depends on individual preferences. Feta is a soft, salty, white cheese, while mozzarella is also soft but has a mild, milky flavour.
