In most people, cheese is linked to weight gain and obesity. However, we have great news for cheese lovers. The latter could, in fact, be the key to a longer life, according to a recent study relayed by our colleagues Netdoctor.
Cheese and longevity
In a study by McMasters University in Canada, researchers found that people who consume more than two servings of cheese a day would have a lower risk of stroke and risk of cardiovascular disease. The results of the study also revealed similar benefits for people who ate yogurt and drank milk.
The study involved 130,000 people aged 35 to 70, from 21 different countries. Cheese consumers who ate less than half a serving per day had a 44.4% increase in their mortality rate, 5% of which was due to cardiovascular disease.
According to Dr. Mahshid Dehghan, lead author of the study, the results showed that consumption of dairy products could be beneficial for longevity and cardiovascular disease, especially in low- and middle-income countries where the consumption of dairy products is less important than in North America or Europe.
In another study by Texas A & M University, the results showed that eating ripe cheese, such as cheddar cheese, blue cheese and parmesan, could reduce the risk of liver cancer.
In aged cheese there is a compound called spermidine, which may help prevent two of the most common types of liver cancer, liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, by preventing cancer cells from reproducing.
A study that is not unanimous
Commenting on the results of the McMasters study, Jimmy Chun Yu Louie of the University of Hong Kong said that while the study suggests that people should not be deterred from consuming high-fat dairy products. fat, and that they could be beneficial for the prevention of deaths and major cardiovascular disease, further research is needed.
He also added that this is not an ultimate endorsement of the recommendation of whole dairy products instead of low-fat or skim-based equivalent products. He also urged readers to exercise caution and treat this study as additional evidence.
Researchers at McMasters University agree that there is still much to be discovered in this area, including the reasons why dairy products may have this impact on cardiovascular disease.
In addition to the benefits mentioned above in this article, cheese has other benefits that have been proven by several scientific studies.
Prevention of cavities
Cheese is a very rich source of calcium that is very important for strong teeth. The cheese has a lower lactose content that harms the teeth. Eating cheeses such as Roquefort, Monterey jack, Brie, Cheddar, Swiss, Gouda and American cheese after a meal or as a snack prevents tooth decay.
According to a 2015 Danish study, the results showed that children with higher than average dairy intake had no caries, and three years later, compared to children with below average intake. .
Weight gain
Some cheeses have a low fat content, which is useful for maintaining a balanced weight. However, for people who want to gain weight, cheese will be a great help, in addition to gaining muscle mass and bone density. Cheese contains fat, calcium, protein, vitamins and minerals that strengthen muscles and bones while maintaining a balanced metabolism.
Good digestive health
The benefits of probiotics in yogurt for digestive health are well known, but it is not the only dairy product that contains these good bacteria. The cheese also contains beneficial bacteria that help maintain good intestinal health.
Caution :
Some people may have an intolerance to lactose, which is a sugar found in cheese that can not be digested by them because their body lacks the enzyme that breaks it down. In these cases, consuming a large amount of lactose can lead to digestive problems, including gas and bloating.
People may also be allergic to casein, one of the main proteins found in milk, in which case even a low-lactose cheese will not do the trick.
