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Cheese and Health: Benefits, Myths, and What You Should Know
From calcium absorption to acid-alkaline balance, learn how to include cheese wisely in your diet
- Chen Tovi
- |Updated
We often hear two opposite messages about cheese. On one hand, we are told that cheese is very healthy and rich in calcium in a form the body absorbs well. Studies show that dairy contains additional nutrients that actually help calcium absorption.
On the other, we are warned that cheese is problematic, full of hormones, and that the body may even release calcium in order to process it.
As usual, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
Acidic vs Alkaline Foods
Before we can understand cheese properly, we need to clarify the difference between acidic and alkaline foods.
In 1931, the German-Jewish physician Dr. Otto Heinrich Warburg won the Nobel Prize for his research on cells. One of his conclusions was that cancer cells tend to develop in acidic environments and struggle to survive in alkaline ones.
Based on this idea, some claim that when we eat acidic foods — especially animal products like meat and dairy, the body tries to balance acidity by releasing calcium from its stores.
The Trend Toward Alkaline Diets
In recent years, especially in the United States, there has been a growing trend toward eating more alkaline foods.
The food industry quickly picked up on this and even introduced products like “alkaline water.” However, this kind of extreme thinking is unnecessary.
The healthiest approach is balance.
For example, if you eat an acidic food like a steak, simply pair it with a fresh green salad, which is more alkaline. This creates a natural balance in the body.
Interestingly, some foods may seem surprising. Lemon, for example, is considered alkaline in the body, while milk is considered acidic.
What Is Acidic and What Is Alkaline?
As a general guideline:
Highly acidic foods include soft drinks, processed foods, alcohol, and most animal products
Neutral: water
Alkaline foods are mostly vegetables, especially leafy greens
Foods that come directly from nature tend to be more alkaline, while processed and animal-based foods are generally more acidic.
Where Does Cheese Fit In?
Cheese is considered an acidic food. However, instead of avoiding it completely, the better approach is to balance it.
For example, enjoy cheese alongside a fresh vegetable salad dressed with olive oil. This combination brings both nutritional balance and great flavor.
In fact, the Mediterranean diet, which includes vegetables, fish, some cheese, and plenty of olive oil, is considered one of the healthiest diets in the world.
In this way, we can enjoy both the nutritional benefits of cheese and its delicious taste.
A Personal Favorite
One day, while we were painting our house, my wonderful neighbor brought over a tray of homemade corn and cheese muffins for dinner.
They were an instant hit.
The cheese melted perfectly, blending with the natural sweetness of the corn. Since then, this recipe has become a regular favorite in our home.
Recipe: Corn and Cheese Muffins
Ingredients:
2 organic eggs
50 grams farmer-style cheese
1 container cottage cheese
1/2 cup milk
50 grams grated yellow cheese
1 chopped onion
1/2 cup corn (canned or frozen)
3/4 cup flour
2 tablespoons oats
1 small packet baking powder
A pinch of salt
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined.
Pour into a greased muffin tin.
Bake for about 25 minutes, until golden.
Enjoy!
As with many things in nutrition, cheese does not need to be labeled as “good” or “bad”. The best approach is to consider balance, quality, and combination.
Pair it wisely, choose good ingredients, and enjoy it as part of a varied and wholesome diet.
