What health problems does cheese cause?
Christopher Pierce
Published Apr 10, 2026
What health problems does cheese cause?
Milk and other dairy products are the top source of saturated fat in the American diet, contributing to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have also linked dairy to an increased risk of breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers.
Are there any health risks to eating cheese?
It’s also usually loaded with sodium, which makes it easy to overeat and can be an issue for people with high blood pressure. Cheese is also high in fat, and some experts, though not all, still advise limiting your intake of saturated fat. Finally, cheese contains no fiber, and excessive intake of pasteurized dairy may cause constipation.
Why is cheese bad for you if you have high blood pressure?
It’s also usually loaded with sodium, which makes it easy to overeat and can be an issue for people with high blood pressure. Cheese is also high in fat, and some experts, though not all, still advise limiting your intake of saturated fat.
Why does cheese not need to be digested?
These nutrients, however, need no digestion as they are already small enough for your intestinal cells to absorb. A dietary component notably lacking in cheese is fiber, which, although it does not undergo digestion, contributes to your digestive health. Consuming excessive cheese without additional dietary fiber can lead to constipation.
What happens if you eat too much Parmesan cheese?
Parmesan cheese contains almost 1 gram of saturated fat per tablespoon. Limiting your intake of dietary cholesterol can help keep your levels within the normal range. Eating large amounts of cholesterol can lead to cholesterol buildup in your arteries, which raises your risk of stroke and heart disease.
What are the symptoms of eating bad cheese?
A true dairy allergy can cause symptoms anywhere from minutes to hours after you eat cheese. These symptoms can include wheezing, hives, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, a runny nose, watery eyes and itchy skin. In rare cases, life-threatening anaphylaxis can result.
Why does cheese “bind you up”?
Cheese has long been identified as a food that can plug you up, it’s the combination of low fiber content and high fat content that makes cheese such a concern for those that experience frequent constipation.
Which cheeses are lowest in cholesterol and fat?
In general, low cholesterol cheeses include those where the milk fat has been reduced or removed. These include low-fat cottage cheese, fat-free cream cheese, non-fat cheddar, non-fat Swiss, low-fat ricotta, soft goat cheese, low-fat provolone, low-fat mozzarella, grated parmesan, and blue cheese.