We all know that cheese is extremely delicious – but there are plenty more reasons to enjoy it as part of your diet. We’re often told not to consume too many dairy products as they are high in fat, but there are also many nutritious rewards and wonderful health benefits of cheese. Aside from being packed with calcium and being an excellent source of protein, enjoying cheese has a wealth of surprising benefits – read on to find out more.

Healthy mouth

As cheese is a fantastic source of calcium, it’s no surprise that some sources attribute it to healthy teeth. However, studies show it could be doing more to fight tooth decay. According to the Academy of General Dentistry in America, cheese creates a protective film around the teeth. It makes the mouth more alkaline. A 2013 experiment showed that eating a daily portion of cheese was more effective in increasing pH levels than milk or yoghurt, which can prevent cavities and tooth decay.

Healthy heart

Researchers are also telling us that eating cheese is good for heart health. It’s all to do with cholesterol – eating cheese boosts the amount of good cholesterol in our bodies, which protects from cardiovascular diseases. With heart disease one of the biggest killers in the UK, a chunk of cheese a day could be the answer to a longer life.

Cheese metabolism

Other studies have found that consuming cheese may actually help people lose weight, contrary to popular belief. Cheese eaters have a different structure of bacteria in the gut. They also have higher levels of an acid which can increase energy and improve metabolism. It can even prevent obesity. This is the “cheese metabolism” and basically means you can enjoy cheese as part of a healthy diet guilt-free.

Longer life

Eating a lot of cheese has long been recognised as a way to live a long and healthy life. Just look at the French paradox. Now recent research into liver health further supports this, according to Texas A & M University. The study found that eating aged cheeses such as cheddar and brie could boost life expectancy by up to 25%! This is down to a compound in cheese called spermidine, which helps to fight off liver cancer.

These are just a few of the wide-ranging health benefits of cheese. So if you need another reason to tuck into your favourite dairy delicacy, now you have it!