Calories in Blue Cheese (Roquefort) and Its Health Benefits

You should throw away spoiled food, but this doesn't apply to Blue cheese or Roquefort. These cheeses are known for having some mold, which gives them blue veins, bold flavor, and strong smell.

The blue veins come from mold called Penicillium Roqueforti that grows inside small holes made in the cheese molds early in the cheese aging process.

Even though blue cheese has a high sodium, it's rich in dairy protein, dietary fats, andessential vitamins and minerals including calcium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and vitamin A.

This article will explain the calories in blue cheese, its health benefits, and how to add it to your diet.

Calories in Blue Cheese

Here are the calories and nutrition in 100 grams of blue cheese:-

• Carbohydrates

Like all other dairy products, blue cheese doesn’t provide high amounts of carbohydrates, with a 100 gram serving offering about 2.3 grams of carbohydrates only, including a very small amount of sugar About 0.5 grams, and it provides no fiber.

• fat

Blue cheese can provide a large amount of fat, as a 100-gram serving provides about 29 grams of fat, most of this fat is saturated fat which is about 18.6 grams and is considered unhealthy fat, but recent research has proven otherwise. Also, blue cheese provides a good amount of unsaturated fat, which is a healthy type that protects the heart.

• Protein

Blue cheese is a great source ofprotein, with a 100 gram serving providing about 21.5 grams of proteinbecause most blue cheese types are usually made with whole cow's milk.

• Vitamins and minerals

Blue cheese is an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals, including Calcium andPhosphorus andPotassium Sodium andVitamin A.

• Calories

A 100 gram serving of blue cheese provides about 353 calories, coming from 73% fat, 24% protein, and 3% carbs.

Health benefits of blue cheese

Blue cheese can offer many important health benefits because it’s high in protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals.

Health benefits of blue cheese include:-

1. Provides a high-quality protein source

Most people might not get enough protein, especially those on plant-based diets. Blue cheese can be a good protein source with about 21 grams of protein in 100 grams.

Also, the protein in blue cheese is casein from milk, which is a complete protein with all essential amino acids the body needs for growth and nitrogen balance. Lack of essential amino acids can lead to severe forms of malnutrition.

2. Helps with vitamin absorption

Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble vitamins, so it's better to eat them with fatty foods since they're carried in the blood by fatty acids.

Not getting enough fat in your diet can stop your body from absorbing fat-soluble vitamins well. This can cause vitamin deficiencies and hurt your health. Blue cheese has a lot of fat, so it can help your body absorb these vitamins.

3. Helps in weight management

Many don't link eating cheese, including blue cheese, with managing weight. But most cheeses have a lot of calcium, a mineral shown to help reduce body weight.

Also, studies show that eating dietary calcium is linked to weight loss, though we don't know exactly how calcium causes this.

4. Reduces risk of heart and blood vessel diseases

Though many associate eating a lot of fat, especially saturated fat, with higher risk of heart diseases, recent research shows the opposite.

Research showed that blue cheese and its mold Penicillium Roqueforti have strong anti-inflammatory effects and can help control blood pressure, and prevent the buildup of cholesterol, all of which are risk factors that can raise the chance of heart and blood vessel diseases.

5. It boosts bone health

Dairy products, including blue cheese, are known for their high calcium content, which is a key mineral for bone health. It helps with the density and strength of bonesIf the body doesn't get enough calcium, it will pull calcium from the bones, making them weak and prone to breaks.

Blue cheese can help provide calcium, with 100 grams giving about 40% of the daily recommended amount.

Food allergy to blue cheese

The lactose level in blue cheese is low enough to be considered lactose-free, which is good for people who have Lactose intoleranceThey can eat blue cheese without getting symptoms.

Also, blue cheese naturally has no gluten, so it's suitable for people with Gluten allergy Or disease Digestive disorders, however, it is important to read food labels to make sure it is safe to eat.

However, if someone has a dairy allergy, they should avoid blue cheese and other dairy products unless they get dairy-free versions.

If you think you have any kind of dairy allergy, talk to a healthcare provider for the right diagnosis.

Storing blue cheese and food safety

You can store blue cheese by wrapping it tightly in wax paper after opening, then wrapping it in plastic wrap, and putting it in the fridge. If stored right like this, it can last from one to two months. If mold shows on a solid block of cheese, you can still eat it if you want.

Mold spots on the walls of a container with crumbly or cut blue cheese should be discarded. Also, you can freeze blue cheese to keep it longer by wrapping it in heavy-duty aluminum foil. It’s best to thaw frozen blue cheese in the fridge before eating.

How to use blue cheese in recipes

Because of its bold flavor and unique smell, blue cheese can be used in many ways in recipes. You can mix it with other cheeses, like white cheese, to make baked goods and pastries.

Also, blue cheese can be added to different salads or sprinkled on pizza, pasta, and eggs.

Besides that, you can pair blue cheese with nuts or fruits for a healthy, nutrient-rich snack.

Source of the article.