Is Cheese a Healthy Food?

Cheese is a milk-based product, made by coagulating milk. The milk used is usually cow's milk, but you can also buy cheese made from other milks, notably goat's and sheep's milk. Different kinds of cheeses have different textures and flavors, and their nutritional values differ, but all are rich in protein, calcium, phosphorus and iodine. Eating unpasteurized cheese is discouraged because of the risks of infectious diseases such as listeriosis, brucellosis and salmonellosis.

Calcium

Cheese is a concentrated source of calcium, which is essential for healthy bones. It is especially important that teenagers going through the growth spurts of puberty consume enough calcium, so they achieve their peak bone mass and decrease their risk of osteoporosis in later life. A study by Sulin Cheng and colleagues reported in the November 2005 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" found that calcium taken in from food such as cheese had a more beneficial effect on bones than calcium taken in supplement form.

Protein

Cheese is a rich source of protein, an essential macronutrient which is a structural component of lean tissues, such as muscles and organs. It is also part of enzymes and hormones, and the various amino acids from which proteins are formed play different roles, including neurotransmitters and transporters of vitamins. Cheese is particularly rich in the amino acid tryptophan, which, according to the "Manual of Dietetic Practice," relieves stress and induces sleep.

Phosphorus

Milk is also a source of the mineral phosphorus. Roles of phosphorus in the human body include being part of DNA, RNA, ATP and phospholipids. DNA and RNA contain the genetic information in every cell, ATP provides energy to cells and phospholipids are important components of cell membranes.

Dental Health

Eating cheese protects against dental caries, as reported in the April 1991 issue of "Australian Dental Journal." Several mechanisms are involved, including stimulation of saliva flow and the high concentration of calcium and phosphorus in cheese.

Concerns

While pasteurized cheese is generally a healthy food, you should not eat it if you're allergic to cow's milk. Allergic reactions can be immediate and cause itching, rashes or swelling of the mouth, or the reaction can be delayed, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, chronic headaches or depression. While most cheeses contain much less lactose than milk, if you're lactose intolerant, discuss cheese with your doctor.