How cheese affects cholesterol levels
It is known that foods high in saturated fat cause an increase in bad cholesterol levels. Full-fat cheeses such as goat, cheddar and colby should be avoided if you have high cholesterol and replaced with low-fat ones.
This is because low-fat cheeses not only do not contain saturated fat, but these cheeses have lower cholesterol levels. At the same time, they contain the same amounts of vitamins, minerals and calcium as high-fat cheeses to maintain healthy teeth and bones.
A diet high in calcium improves the ratio between good and bad cholesterol. The arrangement of key ingredients such as calcium and casein in its matrix is the reason that some types of cheese reduce bad cholesterol levels in the blood.
Low cholesterol cheeses
Mozzarella
Mozzarella is a soft white cheese characterized by a high moisture content. It is made from Italian buffalo milk or cow's milk.
It is low in sodium but high in calories, as well as bacteria with probiotic effects. The probiotics in it improve the functioning of the intestinal tract, along with lowering cholesterol. It is among the healthiest cheeses, along with feta, in terms of cholesterol.
Feta
Feta is a soft, salty white cheese originating in Greece. It is made from sheep or goat's milk. Since it is stored in brine, this cheese has higher sodium levels, but contains fewer calories compared to other cheeses.
Feta provides the body with linoleic acid, which reduces body fat and other changes in the body, and hence reduces bad cholesterol.
Parmesan
Parmesan is a hard aged cheese with a salty, nutty flavor. It is made from raw, unpasteurized cow's milk that is aged for 12 months to kill harmful bacteria and produce a complex flavor. Because of the long aging, Parmesan is low in lactose but high in calcium and phosphorus.
Ricotta
This Italian cheese is made from the watery part of goat, sheep, or cow's milk. It is creamy and a lighter version of cottage cheese.
Its protein is whey, containing all the essential amino acids that are extracted from food. It is low in saturated fat, making it one of the cheeses with the lowest levels of bad cholesterol.
Yellow cheese
Yellow cheese is good for heart health, as it increases levels of good cholesterol. It removes plaques from bad cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels and thus reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Goat's milk cheese is particularly beneficial, as its composition resembles a mother's milk, in addition to containing calcium, phosphorus, vitamin B12, selenium.
Check out which cheeses are the oldest in Europe, as well as how to choose the right cheeses for pizza.
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