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10/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/16/2024 16:02

Is Goat Cheese Healthier Than Cow’s Milk Cheese

Goat cheese refers to any cheese made with goat milk. Other types of cheese are made from cow's milk or sheep's milk.

When you hear "goat cheese," you may think of the popular, creamy, white log, often known in the U.S. as "chèvre." Interestingly, chèvre just means "goat" in French. Goat cheese can come in many varieties, from brie to cheddar and feta.

Here, we'll take a look at goat cheese, including what it is and how it compares to other cheeses.

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Is goat cheese healthy? Goat cheese is generally healthy if eaten in moderation. Like cheeses that are made from cow's milk, goat cheese is a dairy product that's rich in nutrients. Goat cheese is a good source of protein, fat, and calcium.

The type of fat in goat cheese is mostly saturated fat. Whilesaturated fatis considered an unhealthy fat, some studies find thateating full-fat cheesedoesn't seem to raise heart disease risk.

Some of the saturated fat in goat cheese also comes fromcapric acid. This may have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Goat cheese may also contain some heart-healthyomega-3 fatty acidsand conjugated linoleic acid, which is a potential antioxidant.

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Goat cheese can be healthy if eaten as part of a balanced diet that includes:

  • Vegetables
  • Fruit
  • Whole grains
  • Other sources of protein

Benefits of goat cheese Goat cheese may have some small benefits over cheese made from cow's milk.

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Digestibility You may have heard that goat cheese is easier to digest than cow's milk cheese. Interestingly, a study found that thedigestibility of goat milkprotein is 94%, which is similar to that of cow's milk protein (95%). But if you find that you tolerate goat cheese better, that's what matters most.

Lower lactose Goat milk is also slightly lower inlactosethan cow's milk. Goat milk has 4.1 g of lactose, while cow's milk has 4.5 g of lactose per 100 g of milk. This may affect the amount of lactose in the cheese and make it easier to digest for people who're sensitive to lactose.

What are the different types of goat cheese? Goat milk can be used to make a variety of different cheeses, from spreadable chèvre to creamy brie and ashy Humboldt Fog.

Some goat cheeses are soft and runny. Others are dense, crumbly, and dry enough to grate. Overall, goat cheeses have a tangier flavor than cow's milk cheeses. They're a great addition to charcuterie platters or cheese boards.

The exact nutrient composition of goat cheese depends on how it's made. There are subtle differences that depend on the:

  • Breed of goat
  • Country of origin
  • Time of year that the cheese is made
  • How long the cheese is aged

Goat cheeses that mature for 1 to 2 weeks stay fairly soft and spreadable, while those aged 3 to 5 months are firmer and drier. The nutrient content can change as a result. In general, there'smore calcium in hard cheeses- such as cheddar - compared to soft, creamy, spreadable cheese.

How is goat cheese nutritionally different from cow cheese? Both goat cheese and cow cheese are made in a similar way and have similar amounts of nutrients. For example, goat cheddar is slightly lower in calories and fat than cow cheddar and a bit higher in calcium. But overall, the two cheeses are similar, as can be seen in the table below.

 
Calories
115
100
Protein
7 g
7 g
Fat
9 g
7 g
Carb
1 g
1 g
Sodium
180 mg
180 mg
Calcium
199 mg
250 mg

One studyshowed that, overall, goat's milk has more healthier fats, like polyunsaturated fat, than cow's milk. It also has higher levels of copper, magnesium and phosphorus. But it has less calcium and zinc.

The authors of that study noted that these differences were influenced by seasonality, species, and goat breeding practices, so this can vary quite a bit.

How can you use goat cheese in the kitchen? Goat cheese can also add variety to your diet. It has a tangy, earthy flavor. Try it:

  • Spread on bread or crackers
  • Crumbled in salads (pairs especially well with salads with cucumber)
  • In pasta
  • As part of creamy dips (try baking it for extra warmth and deliciousness)
  • In frittatas or quiche
  • On pizza

Experiment with soft and hard varieties to find your favorites.

Frequently asked questions

How is cheese made?expand_moreCheese is madewhen bacteria is added to milk. The bacteria makes the milk coagulate into a soft substance called curd. The curd is pressed into shape to become cheese. Soft curds are crafted in bags, and harder curds are shaped into wheels or blocks.

Which cheese has more fat, goat cheese or feta cheese?expand_more

What are the disadvantages of goat cheese?expand_more

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" data-qa="ContentCalloutH2Title" The bottom line Goat cheese can be a nutritious addition to your diet as part of an overall balanced eating plan that also includes vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and other sources of protein. It's a nice way to add variety to your cheese rotation and is excellent for many culinary uses. Enjoy goat cheese for its tangy, earthy flavor, and try both soft and firm cheeses to suit your recipe preferences.