Medically Reviewed by Christine Mikstas, RD, LD on January 21, 2022
Question 1/8

It's good for oral health because it gives you:

  • Bacteria for good breath
  • Calcium for strong teeth
  • Vitamin C to fight cavities

When it comes to sweetening your breath, cheese stinks. But it can strengthen your teeth. Cheese is packed with calcium, which builds bone. If it's vitamin C you seek, keep looking -- cheese has none.

Question 2/8

Eating cheese every day may be good for your heart.

  • True
  • False

Yep, some studies suggest eating about 1.5 ounces of cheese a day lowers your risk of cardiovascular disease. Just don't overdo it. And go with a low-fat type. Regular cheese can have a lot of saturated fat.

Question 3/8

A bit of cheese at bedtime may help you:

  • Fall asleep
  • Digest your food
  • Grow hair

Cheese contains tryptophan, an amino acid that helps your body relax and feel sleepy.

Question 4/8

Which kind gives you a probiotic boost?

  • Cottage cheese
  • Mozzarella
  • Gouda

This aged cheese has live cultures like bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. These are the good bacteria that usually live in your gut. They can boost your immune system and overall health.

Question 5/8

A strong or bad smell means the cheese is spoiled.

  • True
  • False

With cheese, stinkier is sometimes better. If you have a local specialty shop that offers cheese, ask them what's normal and what's off when it comes to the smellier types. If not, many grocery stores have well-stocked cheese coolers these days. Check with yours.

Question 6/8

How much dairy -- including cheese -- should you eat in a day?

  • 1 cup
  • 3 cups
  • 5 cups

That's actually the amount of dairy the average healthy person should have each day. So plan your meals and snacks with that in mind.

Question 7/8

Pregnant women should steer clear of which kind of cheese?

  • Feta
  • Parmesan
  • Cheddar

Most low-fat cheeses may be a good part of a mom-to-be's diet. But stick to the hard variety. Soft cheeses like feta, brie, and blue cheese are unpasteurized. That means they come with a higher risk of food-borne illness.

Question 8/8

True or false: If your kids won't brush, eating cheese will clean their teeth.

  • True
  • False

Cheese can't take the place of a good brush, but its calcium can help your choppers. And chewing it tells your mouth to make more saliva. This prevents acids from attacking your teeth, which cuts back on cavities and gum disease. It also has casein, which helps replace the enamel, or hard outer covering, of your teeth.

Show Sources

IMAGE PROVIDED BY:

1) floristron74 / Thinkstock

 

SOURCES:

American Dental Association: “Nutrition: What You Eat Affects Your Teeth.”

USDA: “National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference Release 28: Cheese, cheddar,” “All About the Dairy Group.”

European Journal of Nutrition: “Cheese consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease: a meta-analysis of prospective studies.”

International Journal of Tryptophan Research: L-Tryptophan: Basic Metabolic Functions, Behavioral Research and Therapeutic Indications.”

Nutrients: “Influence of Tryptophan and Serotonin on Mood and Cognition with a Possible Role of the Gut-Brain Axis.”

Journal of Psychiatric Research: “Effects of L-tryptophan on sleepiness and on sleep.”

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: “How to Determine if Cheese Is Safe,” “Prebiotics and Probiotics: Creating a Healthier You.”

Mayo Clinic: “Pregnancy nutrition: Foods to avoid during pregnancy.”

Academy of General Dentistry: “Cheese may prevent cavities.”

University of Rochester Medical Center: “The Best and Worst Foods for Your Teeth.”

View privacy policy, copyright and trust info