Welsh cheese has been popular in Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom since the Middle Ages, and it’s easy to see why – this region produces some of the best cheese in the world. But if you’re going to enjoy delicious welsh cheese, you’ll need to know that some varieties are better than others when it comes to health benefits . Here are six of the most important ways eating cheese will improve your life and keep you fit and healthy.
Positive Effect on Your Dental Health
One of cheese’s most popular health benefits is how it affects your dental health. In fact, a study found that cheese may actually decrease your risk for tooth decay. Researchers also found that people who ate cheese more than once per week had less tooth loss and fewer cavities than those who didn’t eat as much cheese. So, while you should always brush your teeth after eating and drinking—and visit your dentist regularly—cheese might be an exception to some dental rules!
Cheese Can Prevent Osteoporosis
A British study found that women who consumed lots of calcium from dairy products had a significantly lower risk for osteoporosis and broken bones. One cup of milk contains about 300 milligrams (mg) of calcium, and one ounce of cheese contains about 30 mg. That’s half your daily value, making cheese an excellent choice when you want to get enough calcium in your diet but not much else.
Help You Gain Weight in a Healthy Way
Protein helps to slow digestion and maintain blood sugar levels, which allows you to stay fuller longer and encourages your body to use its fat stores for energy. Cheeses like famous welsh cheese contain mostly casein protein, a form that’s slowly digested and keeps blood sugar levels low. Additionally, cheese contains fats (mostly saturated) that can help you feel full while aiding in healthy weight gain.
Cheese is the Best Dietary Source for Calcium
According to The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, cheese is one of the best dietary sources for calcium—not just because it’s high in calcium, but also because your body absorbs and uses more than 95 percent of calcium found in cheese. Eat some cheese daily for stronger bones and less risk for osteoporosis.
Cheese is an Excellent Source of Protein
Cheeses like cottage cheese, ricotta, and queso fresco are high in protein. High-protein diets can help with weight loss and muscle building by increasing satiety—the feeling of fullness you get after eating—and supporting your metabolism.
Cheese Benefits the Immune System
Eating cheese can help strengthen your immune system by providing a high source of Vitamin C. A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine also concluded that people who eat more than five servings of cheese each week have a much lower risk for getting certain types of cancer, including ovarian and colorectal cancer. Welsh cheese has small holes in it, making it an even higher source of Vitamin C and other nutrients that fight against cancer cells.
