[Health benefits and risks of cheese consumption]

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Microbiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Cheese consumption's influence on gut microbiota and immune system is increasingly recognized.
• Recent research challenges conventional views on cheese's health effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the health benefits and risks associated with cheese consumption.
• To explore cheese's role in atopic allergy, cardiovascular health, obesity, and metabolic diseases.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of cohort studies and recent scientific literature.
• Evaluation of cheese's impact on intestinal microbiota and immune responses.

Main Results:

• Cheese consumption shows protective effects against atopic allergy.
• Studies indicate cheese is neutral or beneficial for cardiovascular health, not increasing risks for obesity, hypertension, or type 2 diabetes.
• Microbial biodiversity, especially in raw milk cheeses, contributes to health benefits.

Conclusions:

• Cheese offers several health benefits, particularly due to its rich microbial diversity.
• Further research is needed on cheese's role in neuro-psychiatric illnesses, cancer, and specific raw milk cheese benefits.
• While rare, infectious risks associated with cheese must be considered.