How bad is fresh mozzarella for you?
In this article, we will answer the following question: How bad is fresh mozzarella for you? We will talk about the benefits and the downsides of mozzarella cheese.
How bad is fresh mozzarella for you?
Fresh mozzarella consumed in excess is indeed bad for your health. If we look at the less positive data of mozzarella cheese we find mainly fat, cholesterol and sodium. Approximately 65% of the fats in this type of cheese are saturated (more than 11 grams).
These are harmful to the body, not only because they promote weight gain, but also (and above all) because they increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. By raising the presence of cholesterol in the blood vessels (cholesterol that mozzarella also contains, on average, with 50 mg), these can become clogged, thus producing problems in the flow of the blood, the heart and even the brain.
Cardiovascular diseases have exploded in recent decades and we find one of the main causes in diet. Therefore, we must try to reduce the consumption of saturated fat and foods rich in cholesterol. There are varieties of mozzarella cheese where the presence of these fats is reduced.
If our doctor has recommended us to monitor its consumption, we should carefully review the label of each of the available mozzarellas (beyond looking at any advertising claim, such as those in which it says ‘light’ and which are not really so).
Also, mozzarella cheese contains more than 15 mg of sodium. Sodium is not bad, at least not in moderate amounts. This is also essential for the regulation of certain vital functions and, for example, the production of hormones. But an excess of sodium has the most common and immediate consequence of the alteration in blood pressure. If we are diagnosed with hypertension problems, the first step will be to reduce the sodium intake in our diet.
Is buffalo mozzarella as bad a mozzarella with cow’s milk?
The nutritional values of mozzarella can change depending on the type of milk that has been used in its preparation. The original recipe is prepared with buffalo milk and is also the healthiest. It helps to a better concentration of proteins, but also of fats, so depending on our dietary needs it can be a good option, if we like this type of cheese, look for them to be made with one type of milk or another.
The decrease in the number of buffaloes is favoring that more and more mozzarella is made from cow’s milk. And it is not bad, nor does it have to influence the taste. The mozzarella that is made with this type of milk, in general, contains less cholesterol and less fat, so it can be a good alternative according to our dietary needs.
Other FAQs about Mozarella which you may be interested in.
Can I use feta cheese instead of mozzarella?
Can you freeze fresh mozzarella?
What about the benefits of mozzarella cheese?
Mozzarella cheese can have multiple uses in the kitchen, but if it is known for one thing, it is for its presence in pizzas. We can also use it in salads, in balls, in sheets, or melted. Broadly speaking, we can say that it is rich in protein, calcium, and vitamin A, although it also contains saturated fatty acids and sodium.
Mozzarella cheese, as we have just mentioned, is a type of cheese that can give us a lot of play when preparing our recipes. We can find it in different presentations: sliced, in a large ball or there are even brands that sell it in small balls. To better understand its benefits we have to look at its nutrition label.
Although the values may vary according to the brand, the treatment that the cheese has received and other variations, those that we are going to see below are collected as a generic average, taking 100 grams of product as a reference.
Mozzarella cheese contains 28 grams of protein. It can help us to accelerate metabolism, regain muscle mass and promote the proper functioning of the body’s cells. They also provide us with energy and ensure that the rest of the nutrients are assimilated correctly.
Among the vitamins, the presence of vitamin A is especially noteworthy. With average values of 520 IU, it helps us protect our eyesight and prevent certain diseases related to it, improve the health of nails or hair, protect the skin and reduce oxidative stress thanks to its high antioxidant content.
In addition, as the third most prominent benefit at a nutritional level we find its high calcium content. This mineral is present with more than 730 mg. Dairy products are usually very rich in it and in the case of mozzarella cheese it is no exception.
In addition to its positive effects on growth and maintenance of bone health in adulthood, calcium also helps you sleep better, maintain oral health, and lower blood pressure. We must consider that calcium is one of the minerals that are absorbed worse, especially if we eat a diet rich in fiber.
Finally, and although in a lesser presence, mozarrella cheese also contains magnesium (25 mg), a mineral that, together with calcium, promotes better rest, has anti-inflammatory effects and can even help improve mood.
The bottom line
Although extremely delicious, before adding a product to the shopping cart, we must carefully review the mozzarella’s nutritional information, since it may vary depending on the production process, the ingredients used for its preparation or the artificially added values, among others.
If you have any questions or comments on the content, please let us know.
References
Helpguide.org
Healthline.com
WebMD.com
