Feta cheese is one of the oldest cheeses in the world, known for its rich aroma and slightly sour taste. Although feta cheese is the “emblem” of the Greeks, in recent years it is also consumed more often by Romanians. It is a cheese made from a mixture of sheep’s and goat’s milk and contains many nutrients. However, it has a fairly high salt and fat content, which is why it should be consumed in moderation.
Feta cheese can be eaten plain with a little olive oil, salt, pepper, in salads, grilled, added to pizza, tacos, scrambled eggs or grated over baked potatoes.
What are the benefits of feta cheese, but also who should consume it in small quantities or even avoid it, we find out in the lines below.
Feta cheese – nutritional values
A 30-gram serving of feta contains about 80 calories, compared to more than 110 calories for the same amount of cheddar or Parmesan cheese. It also contains:
Feta is an important source of vitamins and minerals: calcium, phosphorus, selenium, zinc, magnesium, iron, vitamin A, B2, B5, B6, B12, K.
The benefits of consuming feta cheese
Due to the nutrients it contains, feta cheese is a food with many benefits. However, the high sodium content of feta cheese can cause various complications for people with certain medical conditions.
Consumed in moderation, feta cheese has the following health benefits:
Good for bones
Feta contains more calcium than many other cheeses. This mineral is important for healthy bones and teeth. At the same time, it is a good source of phosphorus, another mineral that helps in bone remineralization and the prevention of osteoporosis.
Indicated in the weight loss cure
Feta contains a fatty acid known as conjugated linoleic acid. Studies have shown that this substance can help reduce body fat. But other studies show that the same compound can raise cholesterol levels, so more research is still needed.
It helps digestion
Fermented foods such as feta cheese contain probiotics, which support immunity and the proper functioning of the intestinal transit. Probiotics can also relieve diarrhea and constipation, symptoms associated with both irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
At the same time, probiotics protect the intestinal tract from the harmful action of dangerous bacteria, such as E. coli or Salmonella.
Decreases the risk of diabetes
Researchers have found that the protein and calcium in feta cheese can help regulate blood sugar, thereby reducing the risk of diabetes.
Feta cheese – contraindications
This type of cheese contains quite a lot of sodium (salt), which is why people with high blood pressure, kidney disease, other heart conditions or stroke should avoid it or consume it in moderation.
Also, people with lactose intolerance should be aware that this type of cheese has a higher lactose content and can worsen symptoms.
Feta cheese varieties containing unpasteurized milk should be avoided by pregnant women as they may contain Listeria monocytogenesa very dangerous bacteria for the fetus.
Feta also contains tyramine, a substance associated with increases in blood pressure, heart palpitations and severe headaches in people taking medication for depression or Parkinson’s disease.
So, feta cheese is a healthy food, rich in vitamins and minerals, but should be consumed with caution by those with heart disease, kidney disease or pregnant women.
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2023-09-13 14:22:07
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