Cardiologist reveals cheese that is an ally to heart health. Are you a fan?
After all, the bad reputation of this food may be exaggerated...
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Lifestyle Alimentação
Common sense tells us that cheese is one of those foods to avoid to prevent the risk of heart complications. But, after all, it's not quite like that. On the contrary, it can even do wonders for the heart.
"Some foods, such as those high in saturated fat and sodium, can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease," cardiologist Cheng-Han Chen told the New York Post. However, "a diet rich in vegetables and fiber, and low in saturated fat can be beneficial for heart health," he also said.
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The doctor is peremptory. In moderation, "cheese can be part of a heart-healthy diet." According to Chen, the best options are those that have little saturated fat and sodium.
For the specialist, one of the best choices is mozzarella cheese. "It is a good source of protein and calcium and also contains probiotics that can benefit intestinal and immune health," explained Cheng-Han.
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He also said that mozzarella is low in sodium and saturated fat, and is rich in calcium, which contributes to better bone health. "Fresh mozzarella also has less saturated fat and sodium than other cheeses," he added.
Despite this, he warned of the importance of checking the amount of sodium in the mozzarellas on the labels, because the mineral content can vary. "It's a good idea to avoid mozzarellas with a lot of sodium, as this can increase blood pressure, among other effects," said Chen.
On the other hand, cheddar and colby cheese should be avoided. "They tend to be very high in saturated fat and sodium."
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