Cheese is healthier for you than you think

Eating cheese is good for you, according to science.

We've always known cheese is delicious, but historically it's been believed that it's not great for you as it's high in calories, sodium, fat and cholesterol.

A study from theUniversity of Copenhagen published in the Journal of the American Heart Association has found that eating cheese in moderation can lead to a lower risk of heart disease and even make you live longer.

Researchers looked into the so-called “French paradox".

People in France have low levels of heart disease despite being among the most avid consumers of cheese in the world.

It also found that the snack is high in protein, calcium and vitamin B-12.

Cheese also has equal parts protein and fat, which makes you feel fuller for longer.

The researchers also suggests that a food labelling rethink is needed.

Dr Tanja Kongerslev Thorning, the study's leader said:

The effects on health of a food item are a combination of the relationship between its nutrients, and the methods used in its preparation or production.

Therefore we should assess food in context.

Cheese's high sodium levels may not be as problematic as initially thought, as the study found it didn't have links to hypertension.

Professor Arne Astrup, head of nutrition, exercise and sports at the University of Copenhagen said:

There’s a lot of magic in the food matrix of cheese, and the other components and ingredients in cheese are far more important than the saturated fat and sodium.

Calcium seems to play a protective role by binding some of the fatty acids in cheese so that they can’t be digested.

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