Love cheese? Us too! It’s amazing how this dairy product can transform the taste of any dish. Grate some cheddar on a piece of toast to make it fancy; shave some parmesan on a salad to turn it special. Heck! Dip some broccoli in molten cheese and watch your kids chow down their greens. But cheese is rarely mentioned in the same breath as health, because it’s widely believed that it is unhealthy. Cheese is high in sodium and saturated fat, and can’t be enjoyed by people with lactose intolerance. But is cheese completely unhealthy? Not quite. The benefits of cheese may outweigh some of its disadvantages. National Cheese Day 2019 is celebrated in the US on June 4. The idea is to appreciate cheese in all its forms. On this occasion, here are five reasons why you should eat cheese. World's Oldest Cheese Found Inside Ancient Egyptian Tomb, Claims Scientists.

Nutrients in Cheese

Cheese is basically formed when the protein casein in milk coagulates. There are many types of cheese – brie, cheddar, Edam, parmesan and camembert. Cheese can also be processed or unprocessed, aged or fresh, and whole-milk or low fat.

No matter what the type, cheese is a good source of calcium and protein. A cube of cheese has 80 calories, 6.5g of fat, 0.5g of carbs and 5g proteins.

1. Improves Teeth and Bones

Since cheese is a good source of calcium, having a cheesy snack in a day can help strengthen your teeth and bones. Apart from calcium, cheese also has proteins, magnesium, zinc, vitamin A and D, all of which can give you strong bones. These nutrients, especially calcium which helps in tooth formation, promotes dental health and prevents cavities. 8 Health Benefits of Ghee That Will Make You Ditch Butter and Oil.

2. Reduces Blood Pressure

Cheese gets a lot of bad press for being high in calories. But there are stats that show cheese consumption can help in reducing blood pressure, despite being high in fat and sodium. To make the best use of cheese, opt for the low-fat varieties such as cottage cheese, feta and goat’s cheese.

3. Helps Maintain Body Weight

Studies say that people who are on the heavier side often have a calcium deficiency. So it’s believed that upping one’s calcium intake can help bring BMI to normal levels. And since is a rich source of calcium, people who are trying to lose weight can opt for a low-fat, low-sodium variant.

4. Promotes Gut Flora

The good guys in the stomach aka the good bacteria is important for overall health. That’s why it’s important to eat fermented food that promotes gut micro biome. Cheese contains healthful bacteria that has an ameliorative effect on health.

5. Strengthens Blood Vessels

While cheese can be high in sodium, some studies reveal that it can be beneficial in preventing cardiovascular problems by strengthening the arteries.

Still need a reason to indulge in cheese? But before you dive head-first into a vat of molten cheese, remember that too much of it can be bad. Like most good things, cheese in excess can cause other health problems. So while a melty pizza slice or a fondue once in a while won’t hurt, it’s important to exercise moderation.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 04, 2019 09:09 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).