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Cheese, healthy treat for all
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A cheese platter and wine (Shutterstock/Yulia Davidovich)
Have you ever thought about the relation between the French, who are generally slender and fit, and cheese?
According to www.franceagroalimentaire.com, France produces 24 million liters of milk per year on average. The country exported dairy products worth eight billion euros in 2012, with 43 percent of the products being cheese.
The French themselves consume 24 kilograms of cheese per year on average.
In spite of cheese containing saturated fat, the rates of cardiovascular disease and obesity in France is far lower than in the United State, as pointed out by www.medicaldaily.com. “France consumes more cheese than any other country in the world, yet they’re slender and fit. Scientists have dubbed this conundrum ‘the French Paradox’,” said the website.
A study carried out by the American Chemical Society found that cheese produces certain gut bacteria, which is associated with a reduction in cholesterol. It turns out that cottage cheeses and soft fermented cheeses like gouda, some cheddars, and parmesan are often packed with probiotics. Meanwhile, Roquefort cheese known for its mold, has anti-inflammatory properties.
Research also discovered that cheese, particularly the European types, can balance out gut flora, essential for good digestive health, weight, the immune system and even mental health.
Read also: Cheese may offer some health benefits, study says
So be sure to include French cheese for special family meals or when entertaining guests.
Luckily in Jakarta, French cheese is readily available. The French Dairy Interbranch Organization (CNIEL) and the European Union have organized an Open Your Taste Campaign, where popular French cheeses are promoted in such premium supermarkets as Kem Chicks, Ranch Market, AEON, The Food Hall, Farmer’s Market, Grand Lucky and Hero.
Among the highlighted cheese on promotion are brie, Camembert, brie au bleu, Emmental, Comte, Roquefort and cream cheese.
Cheese is great served on a platter combined with grapes, dried fruit, crackers and even cold cuts. Harder types of cheeses can be shaved and sprinkled on top of pasta or risotto.
