We all enjoy cheese as part of a healthy meal or snack. With so many varieties available at local supermarkets and delis, there is a cheese out there for almost everyone. The cheese manufacturing industry is thriving across the globe and each cheese has its origin. Mozzarella from Italy, Cheddar from England, Swiss cheese from Switzerland and others have all made a mark on the world map and can be enjoyed with some good wine, as part of a dessert platter or as a simple snack. Each variety of cheese can also be found in different varieties such as hard or soft, tangy or mellow and creamy or ripe. Some such as aged cheddar have a sharper taste while others like Gouda have a sweeter taste. Cheese is known to have good calcium content but it also gets bad press because of its high fat content.
So can cheese in large amounts make you sick? If you do consume too much, you may find discomfort to your body. You may even need medication to ease the discomfort in your stomach. You will also notice other changes to your body in the long term with eating too much cheese.
Weight Gain
Cheese is known to contain a high content of calories and saturated fats which are directly responsible for the bad cholesterol eventually building up and blocking the arteries. Both these contribute to weight gain. For instance 1 oz. of cheddar cheese contains 114kcal and 9.4 grams of fat. An ounce might seem like a bite size but the more bite sizes you keep taking; the more fat you are taking in. It is also believed that the weight gained from saturated fats is the hardest type to lose.
Interferes With The Natural System
In addition high consumption of cheese triggers migraine attacks and arthritis flares. Some studies have shown fatty cheese to correlate to half of rheumatoid arthritis cases. Excess consumption of cheese also has been reported to cause problems with absorption of vitamin D because too much calcium can make Vitamin D activation difficult. This increases the risk for prostate cancer.
Lactose Intolerance
If you are lactose intolerant, consuming too much cheese can cause abdominal gas, bloating, pain, diarrhea and nausea. Frequent diarrhea can then leave you dehydrated. Most cheeses contain lactose but there are other types such as goat’s cheese you can consume. This should however be done in moderation.
Indigestion
Indigestion is a pain or burning in the upper abdomen and a feeling of uncomfortable fullness. Eating foods with a high fat content (most cheese is high in fat) can stimulate indigestion. Treatments for indigestion include eating smaller, low-fat meals (or low fat cheese) more frequently and you will have to control consumption of carbonated drinks.
Allergy To Milk
If you suffer from milk allergy, eating too much cheese will trigger an allergic reaction. You will suffer from wheezing and have digestion problems. More serious cases involve having hives and anaphylactic shock.
In general a person can truly enjoy their sharp cheddar or aged Swiss to the extent they would like and without any problems. If a health issue arises it’s best to start looking to other cheeses and preferably those which are low in fat or aged
Jet M Perreault
