The Nutritional and Health Benefits of Cheddar Cheese

Cheddar cheese is a type of hard cheese with a sharp or acidic taste. Cheddar cheese is created by chopping the firm milk curd finely to drain the whey. Then, the cheese is processed into blocks or cylinders.

Cheddar cheese is often off-white in color. But some types of cheddar cheese are deep orange or yellow in color because they are dyed with annatto seeds or carrot juice.

Although mozzarella cheese is the most popular of all cheese types, cheddar cheese is most popular in the UK. In fact, cheddar accounts for 51% of the country’s cheese market each year! Of all types of cheddar cheese, Cheshire cheese is the oldest in Britain. In the US, almost 90% of cheeses sold are of the cheddar variety.

Just like any type of cheese, Cheddar cheese is packed with a long list of amazing nutrients that help keep the body healthy. In today’s post, we are listing down the benefits of eating cheddar cheese:

Reduces the Risk of Chronic Diseases

Did you know that consuming a serving of cheese every day will reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases including osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure? 1.5 ounces serving of cheddar cheese is equivalent to about a cup of dairy. This serving also satisfies a third of your daily recommended serving of dairy. Cheddar cheese is high in calcium and vitamin D, nutrients that protect from chronic diseases.

Packed with Protein

Cheddar cheese is an excellent source of high-quality protein. Just a slice yields about 7 grams of protein, which satisfies about 14% of your daily needs of this nutrient. And get this, the protein you get from cheddar cheese is a complete protein. This means the protein is loaded with all essential amino acids the body needs to keep the muscles healthy. In addition, protein is slow burning so it is filling. When you feel fuller for longer, you are less likely to make poor food choices later in the day.

Loaded with Vitamins

Cheddar cheese is teeming with a host of essential vitamins. Just an ounce serving of cheddar cheese contains about 281 international units of vitamin A, which satisfies 6% of your RDA of this nutrient. Vitamin A keeps the eyes healthy and protects from free radical damage.

This serving yields about 0.2 micrograms of vitamin B-12, and 0.1 milligrams of riboflavin. Riboflavin assists in the formation of red blood cells. This nutrient is also a critical part of converting food into energy. An ounce of cheddar also contains traces of thiamine, niacin, vitamin B-6, folate and vitamins D, E and K! All these nutrients keep the blood, bones, and muscles healthy!

High in Minerals

An ounce serving of cheddar cheese contains about 202 milligrams of calcium, which satisfies about 20% of your RDA of this mineral. Calcium helps keep the bones dense and strong. This mineral also assists in proper nerve and muscle function. The same serving also yields about 143 milligrams of phosphorus, 0.9 milligrams of zinc and traces of potassium, iron, and magnesium. Phosphorus boosts proper kidney function and protects the DNA from damage. It also promotes immunity.