Parmesan - benefits and harms for men and women

Delicious cheeses are not frequent guests on our table, but in vain, because they are prepared from selected milk using healthy bacteria. Many gourmets emit Italian parmesan for its firm texture, nutty notes and pleasant sweetness. And nutritionists, in turn, call spicy cheese a valuable source of protein and milk fat, which are very healthy.

Before using an unfamiliar product, you always need to find out what it consists of, how it affects the body and what consequences should be expected.

Features of Parmesan and chemical composition

They learned how to produce real Parmesan exclusively in the northern regions of Italy (Emilia Romagna). Cheese is prepared from the milk of local cows, since it is their diet that abounds with herbs necessary for creating a unique taste and aroma.

The exceptional recipe has been around for more than 1000 years, and the idea of ​​creation is attributed to Benedictine monks who invented useful long-term storage products. And not surprisingly, because a spicy cheese mass without holes should ripen for at least a year.

Milk is collected annually on May 31. On the morning of the first of April, cream is removed from it, which is also used to make the famous mascarpone soft cheese. Aged milk without cream is mixed with fresh morning, heated to 35 ° and add a special natural sourdough. It can frighten many, but in the original leaven the calf’s gastric juice appears. During the reaction, warm milk coagulates, turning into a dense whole clot. It is removed from the liquid, crushed again and heated to 50 °. After the heat treatment, the cheese loses all the whey, due to which it acquires an unprecedented hardness and long-term storage ability.

The resulting young cheese is transferred to a wooden form, where it is infused for several days. Then the heads are placed on shelves in a cool and dark storage, where they ripen for 12-18 months, sometimes more (up to 10 years). During this period, the cheese is cleaned from dust, turned on the other side, tapped. The mass of one circle reaches 40 kg, and in diameter is half a meter.

The calorie content of 100 g of fat cheese is about 300 kcal, so it is not recommended to use it for dietary nutrition.

During cooking, parmesan accumulates the following nutrients:

• proteins - 33% of the total mass (this is more than in some types of meat);
• vitamins of group B, A, K, D;
• macro- and microelements (sodium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, potassium, phosphorus and others);
• saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids;
• amino acids (glutamate, tryptophan, valine, arginine, lysine, threotine and others);
• milk fats;
• Sahara.

Calcium supports the health of the bone system and teeth, prevents their fragility and destruction.

Vitamin A provides visual acuity, elasticity and skin tone, and is also involved in general metabolism.

The essential amino acid glutamate combines with sodium, due to which it provides an excellent metabolism, improves brain activity, strengthens the nervous system.

All vitamins and minerals in Parmesan are quickly and easily absorbed, as the product provides a greasy environment.

The benefits of parmesan for the body

Italian cheese must be present in our diet due to the following properties.

1. A fast provider of protein and calcium (digestible in 45 minutes).
2. Regenerates and renews body cells thanks to amino acids.Protects the cell membrane.
3. Strengthens the muscle corset, promotes productive sports training.
4. It does not contain lactose, due to which it can be used in the nutrition of some allergy sufferers.
5. Improves digestion, stimulates intestinal motility and secretion of gastric juice. Parmesan also prevents chronic constipation, dysbiosis, and hemorrhoids.
6. Stimulates the reproduction of bifidobacteria necessary for a healthy intestinal microflora.
7. It relaxes the nervous system, reduces stress, depression and nervousness. Parmesan in the diet is the key to fast falling asleep and good sleep. Some doctors report an anticonvulsant effect.
8. Prevents osteoporosis, fractures and dislocations.
9. Improves the condition of tooth enamel, prophylaxis of caries.
10. It accelerates metabolism and indirectly contributes to weight loss.
11. Promotes the production of hormones, enzymes, as well as the most important protein fractions.
12. Slows the growth and development of malignant cells.
13. Positive effect on the health of the epidermis, hair and nail plate.
14. It is highly nutritious - a small chunk of parmesan satisfies hunger for several hours.
15. Promotes lactation in nursing mothers.
16. Ideal for feeding young children from 10 months (dosage is about 3 g per day).

Restrictions and harm

Unfortunately, delicious Italian cheese is far from useful for everyone.

The question remains the benefits of monosodium glutamate - a natural compound that we know as a preservative. A weak body, especially a child, may not perceive the component at all, resulting in severe food poisoning or even allergies.

Another amino acid (glutamine) in a large dose overexcites the nervous system, which turns into anxiety, severe migraine, distraction and sleep disturbances.

Sodium itself is also hazardous to health, especially in high concentrations. A day is not supposed to consume more than 2300 mg of trace elements, so replace the main meal with parmesan. Patients after 50 years of age, as well as diabetics and hypertensive patients, should use sodium-rich foods with caution. Also, the mineral is dangerous for people with kidney diseases, as it retains fluid in the body and interferes with the normal functioning of the excretory system, and contributes to an increase in swelling. It is forbidden to get involved in Parmesan and people who have a history of cerebral stroke or myocardial infarction.

There are other contraindications for eating Italian hard cheese:

1. Exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (high acidity, ulcer, enterocolitis, pancreatitis, gastritis and others).
2. Kidney diseases (stones, pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, insufficiency and others).
3. Acute food intoxication, chronic diarrhea.
4. Allergy to components in the composition of cheese.
5. Diathesis in children in the acute stage.
6. Obesity of various stages (high-calorie and fatty product).
7. Regular headaches and migraines.
8. Hypertensive conditions (hypertension, crisis, preeclampsia).

Gastroenterologists and nutritionists called the optimal dose of parmesan per day - 40 g. In this amount, the product will saturate the body with a shock dose of proteins and calcium, improve metabolism and interrupt the hunger. Of course, for maximum benefit, purchase the product in specialized cheese stores and ask for a quality certificate.

Video: What are the benefits of Parmesan cheese?