Should you eat cheese every day? Yes, but there is a catch

“I’d like to talk about why I eat cheese every day and why you should too,” Dr. Berg says on his Instagram feed, diving headfirst into the rationale behind his dietary recommendation. Here’s the problem though, he’s not talking about processed cheese, he’s advocating the consumption of goat and sheep cheese.

He says, “I think the best cheese would be goat cheese and sheep cheese and I will focus more on that in this talk. Sheep cheese, goat cheese is A2 casein which is the protein, and it won’t create as many problems in your digestive system. Some of the oldest people in the world consume sheep and goat cheese.

“You’re consuming a lot less lactose. Cow’s milk in general, you’re looking at 3.8 to maybe 4 percent lactose. Mozzarella cheese or cottage cheese, we’re looking at 1 to 4 percent, lactose. But when we look at cheese of goat or sheep, we are looking at 0.5%.

So is Dr. Berg right?

Shubha Ramesh L, chief dietician and nutritionist at DHEE Superspeciality Hospital tells indianexpress.com, Goat cheese and sheep cheese are excellent sources of protein, comparable to other animal proteins such as milk or beef. These cheeses usually offer a complete protein profile, including all the essential amino acids needed for body functions.

The protein in goat and sheep cheese is highly bioavailable, he says, ie it is easily absorbed and used by the bodymaking it a beneficial component of a daily diet for muscle repair and growth.

However, he stresses that people should not be swayed by social media claims. Although goat and sheep cheese can be beneficial when included as part of a balanced diet, it is important to consume them in moderation given their high fat and sodium content.

Probiotic benefits of cheese consumption

According to Shubha, many cheeses apart from goat and sheep cheese, particularly those that are fermented, contain live probiotics that can improve the health of the intestinal flora. These beneficial bacteria aid digestion, improve gut health and can boost the immune system.

Cheese, in any form, can be high in calories and saturated fat. (Source: Freepik)

She notes that consuming a moderate amount of cheese daily can contribute to a balanced gut microbiome, as long as the cheese is a source of probiotics. This can improve gastrointestinal health and potentially improve nutrient absorption.

Nutrients in goat and sheep cheeses

Both goat and sheep cheese are rich in calcium, phosphorus and vitamins A and B2 (riboflavin). Sheep cheese typically contains higher amounts of these nutrients compared to goat cheese and even more compared to cow’s cheese, making it exceptionally beneficial for bone health, Shubha shares.

These cheeses also have more medium-chain fatty acids than cow’s cheese, which can help improve cholesterol levels and improve heart health.

Disadvantages of daily cheese consumption

Although cheese can be consumed daily in moderation, there are also some drawbacks. Cheese, in any form, can be high in calories and saturated fat, which could contribute to weight gain and an increased risk of heart disease if consumed in large amounts.

Shubha also says that cheese is typically high in sodium, which can lead to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems if consumed in excess.

Despite being low in lactose, daily consumption of goat and sheep cheese could still pose problems for those who are sensitive to dairy or prone to dairy-related acne or other inflammatory responses, he warns.