Perspective Chapter: Beyond Delicious – The Hidden Functional Benefits of Cheese

Abstract

Cheese; a diverse and healthy milkproduct with a long history that stretches back thousands of years. It is available worldwide in varying forms and is valued for its delicious taste and superior nutritional content. Classification of cheese is dependent on texture or moisture content, method of coagulation or coagulating agent, maturation or ripening, type of milk and manufacturing techniques. Cheese is comprised of macronutrients, micronutrients and functional nutrients; major macronutrients in cheese are proteins and fats, major micronutrients in cheese include vitamins and minerals and functional nutrients in cheese include cheese bioactive peptides, polyphenols, probiotic, prebiotic, conjugated linoleic acid, sphingolipids, phytanic acid, lactoferrin, γ aminobutyric acid and organic acids. Other than its great taste and flavor cheese is responsible for providing many health benefits i.e. gut protecting activity, antioxidative activity, anticariogenic activity, antihypertensive, antihyperglycemic, cardioprotective and osteoprotective activity to the body. This chapter will focus on the classification, nutritional composition and health benefits of cheese.