Blue Cheese – 10 Amazing Health Benefits

Blue cheese is a semi-soft cheese variant with a salty and sharp taste. It is mainly cultured from the edible penicillium genus mould. The marble texture on the cheese is caused by the spore moulds leaving a unique green-blue network design. Originally from France, blue cheese is made from the Penicillium Roqueforti bacterium, which gives it the characteristic blue spots and veins. Rich in calcium and several other minerals, blue cheese benefits your health in many ways, making it a necessary addition to your diet. In this article, we take a look at some of the benefits of blue cheese and its nutritional value.

Did You Know

Roquefort, one of the most famous types of blue cheese, was discovered by accident when a shepherd in France left his lunch of bread and cheese in a cave. The cheese developed blue veins due to the mold in the cave, and it had a delicious flavor.

What Is Blue Cheese

Blue cheese is a type of cheese that is known for its distinctive blue or green veins running through it. It is typically made from cow’s, sheep’s, or goat’s milk and is aged for several months to develop its characteristic flavor and texture. (1).

Some popular types of blue cheese include Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Stilton, and Danish blue. Blue cheese is often used in salads, dips, and dressings, and can also be served on its own as a cheese course or paired with fruits, nuts, and other accompaniments.

10 Amazing Benefits Of Blue Cheese

As stated above, blue cheese can be beneficial for our health in several ways. Given below are 10 such blue cheese benefits. Check them out.

1. Promotes Dental Health

One of the less talked about benefits of blue cheese. Blue cheese is dental friendly. Presence of a good amount of calcium makes it good for your teeth (5). Consumption of blue cheese helps in preventing and fighting plaque and tooth decay.

2. Boosts Immune System

Studies have shown that blue cheese consumption boosts the immune system. Blue cheese can provide a number of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin D, potassium, sodium, and zinc (5). In other words, it plays an important role in preventing diseases by providing us with a strong immune system.

3. Is Anti-Cellulite

The calcium in reduced blue cheese may help manage visceral fat and also help prevent fats from accumulating in the form of cellulitis. However, more research is needed in this regard.

4. May Promote Heart Health

Addition of blue cheese in your diet may help in lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Studies have shown that people who consume blue cheese regularly have a lower risk of contracting cardiovascular diseases than their counterparts who do not consume it. Blue cheese also helps in lowering cholesterol levels, and prevents artery inflammation and blood clotting in veins or arteries (2) .

5. Fights Arthritis

As we start aging, more health issues are experienced by us, arthritis being one of them. Blue cheese possesses anti-inflammatory properties that may help in reducing joint inflammation and relieving arthritis pain (2). Addition of blue cheese in your diet plan lowers the risk of arthritis and also helps in combating it.

6. May Help Prevent Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition when bones become so weak that they may tend to fracture even by a mild fall. It is more common in women than men. Blue cheese is a very good source of calcium that is important for bone health. One ounce of blue cheese has about 150 milligrams of calcium. Thus, consumption of blue cheese paired with foods rich in calcium and vitamin D can make your bones healthy and possibly prevent diseases like osteoporosis (3).

7. May Enhance Memory

Blue cheese may help in enhancing memory and fight memory problems. A 2018 study has shown that the peptides, fatty acids, and lactic acid bacteria present in fermented dairy products may help improve cognitive function and (4). So start adding blue cheese to your kids’ diet to improve his memory!

8. Is A Good Source Of Phosphorus

Blue cheese is a very good source of phosphorus (5). This mineral is very important for healthy bones and teeth. Deficiency of phosphorus can lead to bone related problems like rickets. Apart from healthy bones and teeth, phosphorus also performs many vital functions in the body.

9. Contains Milk Protein

Blue cheese contains milk protein, so those who can’t drink milk directly due to lactose sensitivity can go for blue cheese to get the required protein (5). However, please note that blue cheese is not completely lactose-free, just low in lactose.

10. Is Anti-Inflammatory

Inflammation is a major problem plaguing most of us today, and if ignored, can turn serious and even fatal. Blue cheese has got anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, it helps in fighting various inflammatory problems in our body (2). Hence, include blue cheese in your diet today and say goodbye to inflammation!

Pro Tip

You can eat it by itself or spread it on crackers. Blue cheese goes well with dried fruits, figs, bread, roasted almonds, and red wine. So, this was about the amazing health benefits of blue cheese. Now let’s look into the nutritional value of blue cheese.

Blue Cheese Nutrition Facts (per 100 gm)

The nutritional breakdown for 100 grams of blue cheese, according to the U.S. Department Of Agriculture (USDA), is given below:

Blue cheese is a pungent, tangy, creamy dairy product popular in many cuisines. A native of France, it is packed with vitamins, minerals, and fats that promote health. Blue cheese benefits health in many ways. It promotes heart, bone, and dental health. It may help boost immunity, relieve arthritis pain, and reduce inflammation. It is good for your cognitive function as well. However, excess intake may cause allergies or lactose intolerance. You should limit its use and consult a doctor if you experience any adverse reactions.