Which Cheeses Can Be Harmful to Heart Health
For many people, cheese is a staple food that is always present in their refrigerator and consumed every day. And although it is considered beneficial, we should not forget that not all types are created equal. Because different cheeses also have different nutritional values, and some of them can actually be harmful to heart health. Here is what is useful to know about the effects of cheese on our body.
Is cheese healthy and how it affects health
Whether the cheese we eat is healthy depends on what type of cheese it is, in what quantity we consume it and with what other foods. It is good to keep in mind that in large quantities, cheese with a high fat content can be harmful to heart health, as it increases LDL cholesterol levels. And this, in turn, can cause other health problems, including an increased risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular disease.
The reason for this effect of much of the cheese on heart health lies in their saturated fat content. The general recommendation is that they should be less than six percent of total daily calories. This means that if we consume 2,000 calories per day, no more than 120 of them should come from saturated fat, or the equivalent of about 13 grams of saturated fat per day. This information can be useful when choosing cheese when we buy it from stores.
In addition to the potential harms associated with consuming cheese, especially in larger quantities, it should be noted that it also contains beneficial nutrients. Therefore, even if we do not have an intolerance, allergy or an explicit recommendation from a doctor to avoid it, cheese can even support overall health. The proteins and carbohydrates in it give us energy, and the calcium they contain is key to bone health. Cheese is rich in vitamins A and B12.
Which cheeses can be harmful to heart health
Cheese rich in saturated fat and sodium can have the greatest negative impact on heart health. Processed, hard, full-fat cheeses, including cheddar and parmesan, are higher in saturated fat and salt, which can raise LDL cholesterol and blood pressure. Mascarpone is also not particularly good for the heart, as it contains more total fat than even cheddar.
Everything said so far suggests that the cheeses that are good for heart health are those with a low fat content, such as mozzarella, ricotta, and cottage cheese. They contain less saturated fat and sodium.
Last but not least, it also matters what other foods we pair cheese with. To achieve a healthy balance in our diet, it is advisable to eat it with whole grains or fruits, which are associated with heart health.
As long as we consume it in moderation, choose low-fat varieties, and eat it with heart-healthy foods, cheese will not have a negative impact on our health. However, on the other hand, those types that have a high saturated fat content are better to eat as rarely as possible.