Cheese as a 'Drug': Reasons for Its Appeal 0 11

There are many reasons why cheese is so beloved by people. One of them is the presence of casein—a slowly digestible protein found in many dairy products. It is important to note that its concentration in milk is not very high, while in cheese it reaches significant levels, as about 4.5 liters of milk are required to produce 0.5 kg of cheese.

But what happens to casein? During digestion, your body breaks down this protein into smaller components known as casomorphins. These compounds can cross the blood-brain barrier, which protects the brain from many substances in the blood, and bind to dopamine receptors in the brain. As a result, your brain starts to release dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure and reward. Thus, the more casomorphins the brain receives, the more pleasure you feel. This may explain why you constantly seek out the cheese section in the store!

Casomorphins are believed to play an important evolutionary role in mammals. Breast milk, rich in casein, helps form a strong bond between mother and child.

However, this is not the only factor! Cheese is also rich in fats, and here again, the evolutionary aspect comes into play, signaling to your body: “This piece of cheese will help us survive, grab it quickly!”. This may explain why low-fat foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are generally less likely to cause addiction or strong cravings.

Despite the presence of addictive substances, cheese poses no health threat and can be consumed every day (although one should not forget about its high calorie content and salt levels). Interestingly, some studies suggest that casomorphins may even benefit the body! They have anti-tumor and antioxidant properties.

Casomorphins may help protect DNA from damage and mutations that can lead to cancer. They can reduce the impact of carcinogenic substances and radiation on cells. Additionally, casomorphins have anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation often plays a key role in cancer development, so reducing it may help prevent the disease.

Moreover, cheese is an excellent source of protein and calcium. Some high-fat varieties also contain conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which may reduce inflammation and promote heart health.

5 More Interesting Facts About Cheese

Cheese is rich in vitamin B12, which is essential for the normal functioning of the nervous system and blood formation.

Cheese contains fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, which play important roles in various biological processes.

It also contains prebiotics and probiotics that promote gut health and improve digestion.

Cheese can help protect teeth from cavities due to its high calcium and phosphorus content.

Cheese may help increase serotonin levels in the brain due to its content of the amino acid tryptophan, which can positively affect mood.