Feta: One of the World’s Healthiest Cheese That Nobody Talks About
Feta cheese is a type of cheese that can be made with sheep or goat milk and, as you may know- its flavor is tangy and bold.
Feta cheese contains a lot of vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for the body. It is also full of sodium and saturated fat. Because of the beneficial nutrients, it should be part of every diet.
Unlike other types of cheese, feta cheese has several to no holes. And unlike, for example, French cheeses, it doesn’t have skin.
Which nutrients will the feta cheese contain, depends on the type. It may contain vitamins A, B6, zinc, phosphorus, riboflavin, and many trace minerals such as magnesium, potassium, and manganese.
It is very popular in Greece and Mediterranean cuisine, as they add various types of dishes, from appetizers to desserts.
It is well known that cheese has large numbers of important nutrients, such as calcium that keeps bones and teeth healthy, zinc that helps in building a stronger immune system and heals wounds, and vitamin A which is good for the skin and the eyes.
Keep in mind that you shouldn’t eat excessive amounts of cheese. Instead, consume moderately and carefully.
Always be sure that the cheese is healthy, not processed, acquired from grass-fed animals, and it is organic.
Do you happen to know that feta cheese originates from Greece, and only the cheese that it’s made in specific parts of Greece can be referred to as feta?
In such specific areas, the cheese id made from goat and sheep milk that are grass-fed. The environment where they are kept needs to provide unique properties.
They produce it in blocks and is solid at the beginning. Although it can crumble during cutting, it has a creamy feel in the mouth.
Which health benefits provide feta cheese?
It is good for the bones
The biggest calcium source in Western diets is cheese. Feta cheese is abundant in phosphorus, calcium, and protein, it helps people improve their bone health.
Goat and sheep milk contains more calcium and phosphorus than cow milk. If you add enough goat or sheep milk to your diet, expect your health to improve.
Calms the gut
As you may know, probiotics are the good bacteria that soothe the gut. Feta is full of Lactobacillus Plantarum and it accounts for 48 percent of its bacteria.
Their job is to protect the immune system and the gut as they keep the intestinal tract safe from bacteria like salmonella and E.coli that can cause various diseases.
They can also prevent inflammation.
It is rich in fatty acids
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) is a type of fatty acid found in animals. It is proven that it helps body composition, boost lean body mass, and lower fat mass. Additionally, it reduces the chance of diabetes and has anti-cancer properties.
A higher concentration of CLA has a cheese that is made from sheep milk, rather than cheeses made from cows and goats. It is estimated that feta cheese has up to 1.9 percent CLA.
According to a study, the content of CLA lowers during processing and storing. But, when bacterial cultures are used during the making, it could help elevate the CLA concentration.
There are some things about feta cheese that are important to be noted.
It’s abundant in sodium
Feta contains 312 mg of sodium in an ounce of serving. That may account for up to 13 percent of the RDI. Therefore, people who are sensitive to salt should rinse the cheese before consuming it.
It contains lactose
Aged cheese contains lower levels of lactose than unripe cheese. Feta is an unripened cheese, so it contains higher lactose levels by comparison to other ones. You should avoid feta if you are allergic to lactose or lactose intolerant.
Not good for pregnant women
Doctors advise pregnant women to avoid raw meat and vegies, including unpasteurized dairy. They can be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, bacteria that comes from soil and water.
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