The CDC noted that high cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. The American Heart Association AHA has linked the saturated fat in cheese and other dairy products to increased low-density lipoprotein LDL , or "bad" cholesterol, and thus, heart disease.
The AHA recommends that saturated fat should make up no more than 5 or 6 percent of your daily calories. However, not all experts agree. Contrary to what we were told growing up, milk and dairy products like cheese don't actually increase mucus production when you have a cold. But there's another reason that some people feel stuffy after they eat cheese. According to Healthline , histamine is a chemical produced by the body and found in some foods that triggers the release of stomach acid to aid digestion.
It's also part of the body's immune response that occurs after an injury or allergic reaction. The enzyme diamine oxidase DAO breaks down histamine, but some people either have a DAO deficiency or an imbalance in their gut bacteria that leads to a buildup of more histamine than their DAO levels can handle.
These people have what's known as histamine intolerance and, when histamine levels get too high, it can cause a number of unpleasant symptoms, including nasal congestion and sinus problems.
According to a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition , one percent of the population is histamine intolerant. Unfortunately for cheese fanatics, aged cheeses are particularly high in histamine , and overindulging could lead to uncomfortable stuffiness.
If you have a histamine intolerance, exposure to too much histamine — like what's found in aged cheese — can cause headaches and migraines, according to Healthline. Aged cheeses can also present another problem for migraines sufferers because of their high tyramine content. According to WebMD , tyramine is a substance known as a monoamine and is found in aged and fermented foods. Our bodies produce the enzyme monoamine oxidase MAO to help break down tyramine.
However, for those who don't produce enough MAO or are on a type of antidepressant known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor MAOI , tyramine can build up in the system.
How exactly it causes migraines is unknown, but tyramine may trigger production of too much norepinephrine, which, in turn, can cause changes in the brain that lead to migraines. If you are of the 12 percent of Americans who suffer from migraines, you may need to stick to cheeses that haven't been aged, like mozzarella.
According to the American College of Gastroenterology , more than 60 million Americans get heartburn at least once per month. Frequent heartburn may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD , which can have serious consequences — like esophageal cancer — if left untreated. Johns Hopkins Medicine noted that cheese is a food that can often cause heartburn.
This may be because eating cheese triggers the release of a hormone called cholecystokinin. When we eat foods containing fat and protein both of which are found in cheese , cells in the small intestine secrete cholecystokinin.
This messenger signals the pancreas to release digestive enzymes and the liver to release bile, both of which help break down the fat and protein. Research published in the journal Gut found that high levels of cholecystokinin caused the lower esophageal sphincter LOS to relax, making it easier for stomach acid to flow back up into the esophagus, causing heartburn.
Just because we love the taste of cheese doesn't mean our bodies love digesting it. In fact, a paper published in the European Review of Medical and Pharmacological Sciences noted that approximately 75 percent of the global population loses the ability to digest lactose — which is found in cheese and other dairy products — at some point in their lives. According to the Mayo Clinic , lactose intolerance occurs when the small intestine can no longer produce enough of the enzyme lactase to break down the lactose in the dairy products we eat or drink.
This can cause a variety of unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms, including bloating. How much lactase a person can produce will dictate just how lactose intolerant they are.
If you're lactose intolerant and want to avoid the bloating cheese can cause, one option is to take medication that contains the lactase enzyme. When speaking with Self magazine, registered dietitian Alissa Rumsey offered another option: Experiment with your diet to see exactly how much lactose you can consume before it adversely affects you.
Cheese made from the milk of percent grass-fed animals is the highest in nutrients and also contains omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin K According to several studies, cheese — and dairy products in general — could work to protect your teeth from cavities. In a Danish study from , more children with an above-average dairy intake were cavity-free after three years than those with a below-average intake.
High-fat cheeses like blue cheese, Brie, and cheddar contain small amounts of conjugated linoleic acid CLA. Research has suggested that CLA may help prevent obesity, heart disease, and reduce inflammation. Cheese and other high-fat dairy products, like whole milk and butter from percent grass-fed animals contains more CLA. Not only does dairy fat include CLA, according to a research review that looked at dairy consumption and heart health, full-fat dairy products appear to provide greater nutrition and have anti-inflammatory properties.
Fermented dairy products, such as yogurt and cheese, may have an even clearer positive effect on cardiovascular health. Unfortunately, when dairy is pasteurized with high heat, some beneficial compounds — such as good bacteria and enzymes — are significantly reduced. Some people are sensitive to cheese. In these cases, too much lactose can lead to digestive problems including gas and bloating. Fortunately, some cheeses are very low in lactose , such as Parmesan.
People with lactose intolerance may be able to tolerate these. Cheese is also a calorie-dense food. Learn more about replacements for vanilla…. In this Honest Nutrition feature, we explore the practice of "clean eating," and why this concept has been a controversial one for researchers. A recent study found several phthalates and other plasticizers in food items from leading fast-food chains, highlighting the need for more regulation.
This article looks at the causes of postprandial somnolence, or food coma, and explains how people who often feel sleepy after eating can cope with…. Hot water bottles can help to relieve aches and pains. Learn more here. Eating cheese every day may help to protect heart health Written by Honor Whiteman on December 4, — Fact checked by Jasmin Collier. Share on Pinterest Researchers suggest that eating a small amount of cheese every day may benefit heart health.
There is a lot of variation between cheeses, so be aware of how much sodium is in the specific type you are eating. The bottom line when it comes to cheese: Enjoy it -- wisely! News U. Politics Joe Biden Congress Extremism. Special Projects Highline. HuffPost Personal Video Horoscopes.
Follow Us. Terms Privacy Policy. Part of HuffPost Wellness. All rights reserved. Suggest a correction.
0コメント