Is Cheddar Cheese healthy to eat daily?

Cheese lovers may struggle to get through the day without a cheese fix, but do you ever think about whether your favourite food is doing you good?

When Cheddar cheese was first produced in the English village from which it takes its name, saturated fat content was not a consideration. Cheddar cheese was made from cow's milk produced in the lush Somerset pastures and was an important food source and a means of earning essential income.

Nowadays, foods are analysed for their health benefits and potential risks, and Cheddar cheese has not escaped scrutiny.

As with many of life's greatest pleasures, the news on Cheddar cheese is mixed, but there are many ways to enjoy its uniquely satisfying taste and stay healthy.

How much saturated fat is in Cheddar Cheese?

Saturated fat is identified as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and the bad news is that Cheddar cheese is one of the high-fat cheeses, containing 35 g of total fat and 22g of saturated fat per 100g.

Additionally, the salt content in Cheddar cheese may be a risk factor for high blood pressure.

However, before you give up eating cheese for good, you may like to consider how these risks can be managed and explore Cheddar's other potential health benefits.

What are the health benefits of eating Cheddar cheese?

Despite its saturated fat and salt content, Cheddar has many health benefits.

Cheddar cheese promotes strong bones

Cheese is a good source of calcium, promoting healthy bones. A 30g portion provides just over a quarter of your daily requirement.

Cheddar is also a source of Vitamin D, which supports calcium absorption and the development of strong bones.

Protein in Cheddar cheese

Cheese is an excellent and convenient protein source essential for tissue repair and rejuvenation at the molecular level.

Cheddar cheese for a healthy gut

Unless you have lactose intolerance, eating cheese has potential health benefits for your digestion.

Like fermented foods, aged Cheddar cheese contains probiotics, which encourage the development of healthy gut bacteria and aid digestion.

The mood boosting properties of Cheddar Cheese

Recent research suggests that Cheddar cheese may also have some mood-boosting properties and positive physical health benefits.

Cheese contains a protein called casein, which produces opiates as it is digested. The opiates enter the bloodstream, influencing hormones that stimulate comfort centres in the brain.

This effect may explain why some people are so drawn to this classic comfort food that they suspect it may be addictive.

Or maybe it's just Cheddar's luscious combination of rich, earthy umami flavours and creaminess that we can't get enough of?

Cheddar cheese vs other dairy products

Dairy products are not all created equal when it comes to health benefits.

Like Cheddar cheese, many full-fat dairy products provide numerous health benefits, but others should be eaten in moderation.

For example, as a fermented product, yoghurt is full of gut-friendly probiotics and a good source of calcium and protein.

However, butter has an even higher saturated fat content than full-fat cheese, and many cardiologists warn against its consumption as it may encourage the development of cardiovascular disease.

Is cottage cheese healthier than Cheddar cheese?

Cottage cheese is a soft cheese with a high moisture content, often made from semi-skimmed cow's milk.

In common with cheeses like feta, ricotta, and mozzarella, cottage cheese provides many of the calcium benefits of Cheddar cheese, and even the low-fat varieties are high in protein.

As cheese ages, it develops a fuller flavour. Like many soft cheeses, cottage cheese is eaten young and therefore lacks the full flavour profile of Cheddar cheese and other hard cheeses that have been aged before consumption.

Cottage cheese also lacks Cheddar's versatility as a cheese that can be used in savoury dishes or as the centrepiece of a cheeseboard.

So, while cottage cheese may be healthier, it is unlikely to be a satisfying alternative for the true Cheddar lover.

Cheddar cheese as part of a healthy diet

Cheddar cheese contributes to bone health and is a source of protein, ensuring its place in a balanced diet that promotes heart health overall.

A few tweaks will allow you to enjoy this king of cheeses without guilt.

Choose quality over quantity

Maximising the health benefits of a full-fat cheese like Cheddar while minimising its potential risks could be as easy as choosing quality over quantity.

Choosing strong-flavoured, extra-mature aged Cheddar rather than mild Cheddar could mean that you eat less and still enjoy the satisfyingly rich flavour of a good Cheddar.

Try low-fat cheeses

Alternatively, you may consider reduced-fat cheese made with semi-skimmed cow's milk. Without the high fat content of traditional Cheddar cheese, these products have a lower risk factor for heart disease but still offer a hearty flavour.

Low-fat cheeses can still be used in cooking savoury dishes and as cheese slices for a traditional ploughman's lunch.