Feta is a popular traditional Greek cheese made from a goat or sheep’s milk. However, in the U.S. this cheese is made from cow’s milk since it is widely more available and cheap. In addition, feta cheese in the US is firmer.
To store this cheese, workers put it in a liquid known as whey brine. Therefore, the Greek cheese has a crumbly, soft, tangy, and a salty flavor. Furthermore, it doesn’t contain the same amount of calories as other types of cheese do.
So, it can be beneficial to use it in your diet. However, have in mind that you can only consume it in moderation. Even though feta cheese has some nutritional values, it also has a lot of calcium. More accurately, in one ounce of serving, the feta cheese contains 140 milligrams of calcium.
And the daily requirement for us is from 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams. So, if you consume an excessive amount of cheese, you might cause some problems for your body. But, it can be useful because the calcium can keep the bones strong and even prevent osteoporosis slightly.
Benefits of Eating Feta Cheese
Feta cheese can support the health of the muscles, heart, and nerves. The reason behind this is because it contains B12, which is a necessary vitamin for the health. In addition, this cheese can promote healthy brain functions and blood cell production.
On top of that, it contains a small amount of vitamin D, folate, and iron. Here is a list of some of the benefits that this cheese can offer.
1. Beneficial Fatty Acids
Sheep’s milk is highly nutritious and beneficial for the body.
Therefore the Greek feta cheese, which contains conjugated linoleic acid, can improve the body functions. In addition, it can decrease the fat mass, improve the composition of the body, and even prevent diabetes and cancer in the long run.
Furthermore, these kinds of cheeses contain a higher concentration of CLA compared to other cheeses made from cow and goat’s milk. So, by consuming feta cheese, you can increase the concentration of CLA in your body and obtain all the benefits it can offer.
Maybe that is the reason why in Greece, breast cancer is less common than in any other countries. Besides, people consume this kind of cheese regularly, so there could be some truth to this speculation.
2. Boosts the Immune System
The protein called histidine, also in the feta cheese, can have some amazing nutritional benefits. So, this cheese could be highly important for improving the health of infants and even adults. In addition, when you combine this protein with vitamin B6, it becomes a potent compound.
This compound is also a part of the feta cheese. Therefore it can help with inflammation and improve your immune system. In the end, your body might become more resilient to diseases and can combat the bacteria.
To get these benefits, you will have to combine the feta cheese with an antioxidant-rich diet food to protect from the damage that the excess inflammation can cause. This way you can ensure a properly functioning healthy immune system
3. Prevents Migraines and Headaches
Due to the fact that the feta cheese contains vitamin B2, no wonder why it can be such a potent remedy for headaches, especially migraines. Therefore, you should add this natural remedy to your diet.
Moreover, you can prepare a diet rich food with vitamin B2 to take the preventive methods on a whole new level. This way, you might be able to limit the types of chronic headaches and migraines.
4. Improve Bone Health
Feta cheese is the main source of calcium in a number of western diets. Since it is that rich with calcium, protein, and phosphorus, the feta cheese can be useful for improving and supporting bone health.
Furthermore, it can prevent osteoporosis, and support the density of the bones. Besides, in every serving of feta, you can get twice as much calcium and phosphorus than any other cheese, which can have highly beneficial effects on the overall health of the bones.
The reason behind this is because the milk from sheep and goats is far healthier than the cow’s milk.
It contains more phosphorus and calcium than any other milk possibly can. So, you should consider adding this cheese to your diet, especially if you suffer from terrible bone health and pain.
5. Prevents Degenerative Eye Disease and Protects the Eyes
Vitamin B2 can have more benefits. According to studies, people who added vitamin B2 to their diet had a reduced chance of suffering from eye diseases, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and keratoconus. And of course, all of these diseases appear due to an old age.
6. Good for the Gut
Feta cheese contains ‘’Lactobacillus Plantarum’’, a friendly bacteria that can be useful for the health. Because this cheese contains 48% of this friendly bacteria, it can boost your gut health along with your immune system.
Plus, it can protect the intestinal tract from harmful bacteria that causes diseases, like Salmonella for example. In addition, the feta cheese can increase the creation of compounds that provide the body with anti-inflammatory benefits.
Therefore, you should consider trying this Greek cheese if you experience any gut health problems.
7. Useful Against Cancer
One of the most useful and intriguing benefits that these cheese can offer is that it might be able to protect the body from cancer. Because feta cheese is a potent source of calcium, it might be able to protect the body from various forms of cancer.
However, for these effects to work, the body needs to have a sufficient amount of magnesium, if you want to properly absorb the calcium. Therefore, you should avoid depriving your body of the necessary amount of magnesium, if you want it to properly work and obtain all those benefits.
But, have in mind that not only the calcium in the cheese can protect the body from cancer. There is also a protein called alpha-lactalbumin, which is also a part of the Greek cheese, and it can bind itself with the zinc ions and the calcium.
Plus, it can provide the body with the necessary antitumor and antibacterial properties.
Risks of Consuming Too Much Feta Cheese
Eating too much is never a good idea. When it comes to the number of calories that the feta cheese contains, you should know that it can have as much as 75 calories. Plus, it contains 4.23 grams of saturated fat and 6.03 grams of fat.
In addition, if you consume far too much feta cheese, you can increase the chance of developing problems with your cholesterol and heart. In some severe cases, it can cause diabetes. Therefore, you shouldn’t consume a huge amount of this cheese.
This same thing applies to any food, for that matter. But, you shouldn’t be afraid to try it out. Feta cheese contains a substantial amount of nutrients, calcium, vitamins, which can all be exceptionally beneficial for the overall health.
Lastly, try it out, but don’t overeat. Make sure you consume this cheese in moderation so that you can acquire all the nutritional benefits your body needs.
What do you think? Have you tried this cheese? Make sure to leave us a comment and share this post with family and friends.
Source: Dr. Axe | Live Strong | Healthy Eating SF Gate | HealthLine | Arvaniti
