What Happens If You Eat Too Much Cheese?

June 4, 2024 by Tanya

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Overeating anything can have both positive and negative effects on the body, and cheese, while being a delicious and nutritious food, can cause health issues if consumed excessively. If you love cheese (like most of us), think before over consuming as it may hamper your health drastically.

This article will discuss what happens to your body if you eat too much cheese. Also, we will discuss the nutritional content of cheese and its potential health benefits.

Article Contains

Possible Adverse Effects of Eating too much Cheese
Health Benefits of Eating Cheese in Moderation
Alternatives of Cheese

Cheese is a rich source of protein, calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus, but its high saturated fat and cholesterol content. While protein and vitamins do all the good to the body, fat and cholesterol being the culprit can cause more harm than help if consumed excessively.

Possible Adverse Effects of Eating too much Cheese

1. Weight Gain

Cheese is calorie and saturated fat-dense, which can lead to obesity if overeaten. While eating it in moderation won’t cause any harm, eating cheese all the time in different food items can increase your weight abruptly.

2. Heart Health

The consumption of cheese with high levels of saturated fat can raise LDL (harmful) cholesterol levels, which may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Likewise, consuming sodium cheese can negatively impact cardiovascular health. Excessive intake of sodium results in hypertension, which is another risk factor for heart health. Since cheese often comes salted, overconsumption can lead you to an unhealthy heart, susceptible to stroke.

3. Digestive issues

Excessive cheese consumption can cause digestive discomfort, especially for those who are lactose intolerant. Symptoms may include bloating, gas, and diarrhea.

4. Bone Health

Consuming too much cheese can negatively impact bone health due to an imbalance in calcium and phosphorus levels. The condition can affect bone mineral density, increasing the risk of developing osteoporosis.

5. Increased Risk of Certain Cancers

Some research (1) suggests that high consumption of dairy products, including cheese, may increase the risk of breast and prostate cancers.

6. Skin Health

Excessive consumption of cheese may exacerbate skin conditions, such as acne, due to its high saturated fat content. This could be attributed to hormones in milk, like insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which can increase sebum production and cause clogged pores.

People with oily and acne-prone skin are advised not to consume fat rich foods among which cheese is one.

7. Nutrient Imbalance

Regularly consuming large amounts of cheese may result in an imbalance in nutrient intake, as it is high in certain nutrients and low in others. If you are consuming cheese excessively and skipping other foods, your body may show signs of nutrient depletion.

8. Addictive Properties

Cheese contains casein, a protein that may activate the release of neurotransmitters in the brain, which can lead to overeating. People who love cheese often found themselves addicted to it due to the same reason.

9. Constipation

Consuming cheese can lead to constipation due to its high fat and low fiber content. It is another reason why overconsumption of cheese leads to digestive issues (2).

10. Inflammation

Casein can cause an immune response in certain people, resulting in inflammation. The inflammation can lead to different symptoms, such as digestive problems, skin issues, respiratory discomfort, and joint pain.
When someone who has an allergy or sensitivity to casein consumes it, their immune system perceives it as a threat and releases inflammatory mediators, causing adverse reactions.

11. Risk of Contracting Listeria

Listeria monocytogenes is a type of bacteria that can cause foodborne illness, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems and pregnant women. Exposure to Listeria may increase if the cheeses are consumed in excess or not stored correctly.

12. Bloating

When someone with lactose intolerance consumes cheese, the bacteria in their gut ferment the lactose in the cheese instead of breaking it down. It leads to unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea.

13. Dehydration

It is essential to drink sufficient water to avoid dehydration (3). However, consuming foods high in sodium, like creamy casseroles and cheeseburgers, can also be detrimental to health. Cheese is one such food with high sodium content and can accumulate quickly, especially if you consume more than one slice, as per health experts.

Health Benefits of Eating Cheese in Moderation

Healthy gut.
Improve oral health.
Full-fill the daily need for calcium.

Lower the risk of heart health.

Alternatives of Cheese

It’s important to remember that although cheese can be delicious and nutritious, consuming it in moderation is necessary. Therefore, if you love eating cheese, either consume it in moderation or look for healthy alternatives.

In such cases, choosing low-fat or reduced-fat varieties is a good idea. You may also want to consider alternatives like plant-based cheeses or nutritional yeast for a healthier option.

Conclusion

Now that you know what happens to your body if you eat too much cheese, it is essential to manage your its intake or look for its low-fat alternatives.

Cheese is a nutrient rich form of milk and its consumption can help body fulfil its nutrient demand. At the same time, an excessive intake can negatively affect your health. So, eat mindfully and always in moderation to keep your body healthy.

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