Yes, many aged cheeses are good for your gut because their fermentation process creates beneficial probiotics (live cultures like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) that support a healthy microbiome, improve digestion, and provide nutrients, especially if they aren't heat-treated after aging. Good options include aged cheddar, Gouda, Swiss, Gruyère, and Parmesan, but always check labels for "live cultures," eat in moderation due to fat/sodium, and pair with fiber.
A: Yes, aged cheese is a fermented food, created through a natural process. This fermentation produces beneficial bacteria that aid gut health.
Dietitians agree that cottage cheese is the healthiest. It stands out for its protein, probiotics, vitamins, and minerals, as well as its lower-calorie, lower-sodium options. Those nutrients support gut health, heart health, and weight management, while helping to keep you full and energized.
All dairy-based cheese contains lactose. However, as a rule there is more lactose present in younger, fresher cheeses such as ricotta or cream cheese. As cheeses mature, the levels of lactose decrease considerably, thereby making older, aged cheeses easier to digest.
Aged cheeses also contribute to heart health. The presence of healthy fats and the ability to lower LDL cholesterol levels make these cheeses a heart-friendly option. Consuming aged cheeses in moderation can be part of a heart-healthy diet, especially when combined with other nutrient-rich foods.
Overall, the peptides contained in aged Cheddar cheese were shown to have excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive activities, and long-term ripening appeared to have a positive effect on these activities.
The unhealthiest cheeses are typically highly processed varieties like American cheese slices, spray cheese, and cheese spreads/dips, due to high sodium, preservatives, and unhealthy fats; however, rich, creamy natural cheeses like Brie, Camembert, and triple-crèmes are also high in saturated fat, making them less healthy in large amounts, with blue cheeses like Roquefort topping salt content. The "unhealthiest" depends on your health goal, but generally, processed versions offer less nutritional value and more additives than natural cheese, even high-fat ones.
Low FODMAP Cheeses List
Which is healthier: milk or cheese? There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. Cheese offers more protein per gram and is often easier to digest for lactose-sensitive individuals. However, some cheeses are high in sodium and saturated fat, making milk a better choice for those looking for a lower-fat option.
PLZ READ IF YOU ARE LACTOSE INTOLERANT! Aged cheeses are virtually lactose-free! If you have some issues digesting dairy, try noshing on something hard like this sassy little gouda from L'Amuse.
Choose Aged Varieties: Generally, the longer a cheese is aged, the higher its probiotic content. Look for aged cheddar, gouda, or other varieties that have undergone an extended aging process.
Dietitians recommend opting for feta, gouda, goat, fresh mozzarella or any grass-fed cheese. Pair these cheeses with lifestyle habits, like exercise and sleep, to help lower inflammation.
Typically, probiotics are in cheeses that have been aged but not heated afterward. This includes both soft and hard cheeses, including Swiss, provolone, Gouda, cheddar, Edam, Gruyère, and cottage cheese.
Spotlight the Super Six:
When it comes to the plants you eat, you want to eat from across the six different plant groups: vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, legumes (beans and pulses), nuts and seeds, and herbs and spices.
If you are chronically constipated, overeating fried food, processed meats, commercially baked goods and other high-fat items may be responsible. Cheese as a particular constipation culprit. Fats are tricky to digest, and take a long time for the body to break down.
Oregano. Oregano oil is one of the most common substances used to treat SIBO. One study found it to be even more effective than pharmaceutical antibiotics for killing off wayward microbes in the small intestine (Source: NCBI).
The 7 Wrong Food Combinations You Must Avoid
Calories and Protein Yogurt's the winner, just barely, if you're watching your weight. One cup of plain low-fat yogurt, regular or Greek-style, averages 154 calories, compared with 182 calories for low-fat cottage cheese. Cottage cheese is higher in protein—27 grams per cup versus 12 grams for plain yogurt.
Top 10 Foods for Health
Whilst lactose in cheese can trigger IBS symptoms, it may also be down to the high fat content. Even a low lactose cheese can cause IBS flare ups if eaten in excess. But cheese may be ok in small portions for many people with IBS.
Top 10 healthy cheeses
Any cheese with an ingredients list of only milk, salt, and enzymes/cultures (like cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, gouda, feta, goat cheese, cottage cheese, etc.) is 100% real cheese, while "American Cheese" or "cheese products" often contain added emulsifiers and flavorings, making them processed rather than purely natural cheese. Always check the label: if it lists more than milk, salt, and enzymes (like sodium citrate, whey, artificial flavors), it's a cheese product.
Unhealthy Cheeses
Cheese is a good source of tryptophan, an amino acid that plays a role in the production of serotonin (the “feel-good” neurotransmitter) and melatonin (the hormone that regulates sleep). This makes it a helpful snack to promote relaxation and better sleep (2).