Hidden Health Benefits of Cheese

Cheese: A Nutrient Powerhouse

The growth in retail cheese sales during the pandemic is a testament to how important cheese is to U.S. consumers. While current cheese trends range from shredded cheese for home-cooked meals to single-serve cheeses for snacking, the common denominator is the comfort and indulgence that cheese provides. This association can make it easy to forget that besides having a craveable taste and texture, cheese is also a nutrient powerhouse.

Protein-Packed

One of the top nutrient benefits of cheese is protein. Just a single ounce of a hard cheese like cheddar contains about seven grams of protein—making it a great whole food option for boosting protein intake. Since protein is known for providing satiety, cheese is a top choice for an indulgent snack that can also curb hunger.

Cheese is also a source of complete protein, meaning it offers all of the nine essential amino acids in the right balance needed by the body. That’s why cheese supports muscle growth and development—important for fitness enthusiasts, as well as growing kids. With protein continuing to trend as an in-demand nutrient, brands can call attention to this benefit with front-of-package protein claims on their cheese products or even add cheese to a product to increase its protein.

Calcium-Rich

As a nutrient-dense milk product, cheese is also rich in calcium. One ounce of cheddar offers around 200 milligrams of calcium—20% of the RDA for most Americans. For certain age groups like tweens, teens, and seniors who have higher calcium requirements, incorporating enough calcium into the diet is especially important.

Not only does calcium provide structural support for bones, but it’s also involved in muscle contraction, nerve signaling, and blood clotting. Without sufficient dietary calcium, the body will draw from the bones’ reserves of calcium to meet its essential functions. Since peak bone density is reached at around age thirty, getting enough calcium early on is key to strong bones throughout life.

Extra Nutrient Benefits

Even brands that are savvy to the protein and calcium benefits of cheese may not be aware of cheese’s other top nutrients: phosphorus, vitamin A, and vitamin B12. Phosphorous is the other key mineral found in bone. While bone is about 25% calcium, phosphorous makes up about 12%. Like calcium, phosphorous is released by the bones into the bloodstream as needed to carry out essential functions, making regular dietary intake important for strong and healthy bones.

Cheese also contains vitamins A and B12. Vitamin A supports healthy vision, as well as immune function. Vitamin B12 is involved in nerve function and red blood cell formation but may be most commonly associated with energy since it’s found in sports and energy drinks. Brands that communicate these lesser-known health benefits of cheese can give consumers yet another reason to purchase their products.

Cheese as a Nutrient Delivery System 

Cheese is also a great delivery system for vitamin and mineral fortification. It can successfully carry important nutrients like probiotics, vitamin C, zinc, omega-3s, vitamin K, vitamin D, and many others without compromising the integrity of the ingredients, or the cheese! This gives cheese manufacturers an opportunity to deliver functional health benefits through cheese. 

Delicious and Nutritious Cheese

Cheese has it all. It’s delicious, nutritious, and works well in a variety of applications. To boost the indulgent appeal and health of your next product, learn about our cheese solutions, including our latest innovations in fortified cheese! Our fortified cheeses include higher protein, probiotic, and vitamin D-fortified cheeses. 

Contact Glanbia Nutritionals to learn more.