It’s no secret that one of the most beloved foods on earth is cheese, with its rich and tangy flavors, satisfying textures, and more. However, there are some cheeses out there that can wreak havoc on your gut health.
While cheese can be a good source of calcium, protein, and healthy fats, it can also cause some health issues when eaten frequently. Many cheeses are high in saturated fat and sodium, which can contribute to inflammation in the body and increase the risk of disease over time. For people who are lactose intolerant or sensitive to dairy, cheese can also easily trigger bloating, digestive discomfort, or skin flare-ups. Using research from various health experts, we’ve learned about the one cheese that can lead to inflammation and hurt your gut. Read more about it below.
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The Worst Type Of Cheese For Gut Health
Cheese has been around for centuries, and it's one of the most popular food items on the planet. Those who eat it often find a way to incorporate it into all sorts of dishes and snacks, making charcuterie and cheese boards, topping salads or pastas with it, etc. There are many people out there who struggle to imagine their everyday diet without some kind of cheese in it.
In the health and wellness community, there are a lot of mixed reactions to cheese. Overall, it's considered a great source of calcium, in some cases, protein, and when used right and eaten in moderation, it can be a nice food to keep in a healthy diet.
However, as time has gone on and we've evolved, more types of cheese have been introduced, including processed cheeses. Highly processed cheeses include cream cheese and American cheese, which are considered one of the worst types of cheeses for your gut health.
Why Highly-Processed American Cheese Can Hurt Your Gut Health, According To Health Experts
There are so many types of cheeses out there that are high in probiotics and can improve your gut microbiome, not causing as much inflammation, like Parmesan and cottage cheese. However, other cheeses that are highly processed, like American cheese, which is often individually wrapped in plastic, are not as beneficial.
"Not all cheeses are the same, as they're processed in different ways," note experts at The Gut Health Doctor. "Most of your 'standard' supermarket-bought cheese, like single wrap slices, don't go through the ageing process that 'quality' cheeses do, and instead are 'cut' with a range of different additives to add flavour and extend the shelf life. These cheeses are typically heated again at high temperatures before they make it onto the shelf to purposely kill off any microbes, literally the opposite process to quality cheese."
Additionally, American cheese is known for being relatively high in saturated fat, which increases bad cholesterol in the body. That, in addition to the high amounts of lactose, can cause a recipe for disaster in your gut, especially when eaten frequently.
"The more saturated fats we eat, the more inflammation that builds up – gradually weakening our gut defenses and increasing our susceptibility to chronic inflammation," Dr. Cyril Seillet told Technology Networks after researching the impact of saturated fat on gut health and inflammation. "But this inflammation build-up is initially silent, remaining hidden in our bodies until years later, where it can present as chronic inflammation."
While having a slice or two of American cheese now and then won't do much harm, consistently eating it as part of your diet, especially if you're already a bit sensitive to dairy, can lead you right to an inflamed stomach, and should be replaced with more high-quality, probiotic-rich cheeses.
