Goat Cheese: Complete Sugars and Carbohydrate Profile

Goat Cheese ‐ Types of Sugars

Introduction

Lipids and fats are a type of macronutrient that provides essential nutritional value to our diets. Fats play an important role in providing the body with energy, maintaining cell membranes, transporting vitamins and other nutrients throughout the body, absorbing hormones, aiding in digestion, and much more. In addition, lipids help form the interface between cells, allowing communication and transport of materials throughout the body. Goat cheese is one food source that contains certain types of fats, and research into these fats has revealed new information on their functions, roles, and overall nutritional health benefits. This paper will explore the different types of lipids and fats found in goat cheese as well as their specific characteristics and abilities inside the body's processes.

Types of Fats and Lipids Found in Goat Cheese

Goat cheese contains two main categories of fats: saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids. These two basic forms of fat account for eighty-two percent of all lipids in goat cheese (Ibezim et al., 2018). Saturated fatty acids are composed of triglycerides, phospholipids, stearic acid, and others, while unsaturated fatty acids consist of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids such as oleic, linoleic, alpha-linolenic, and palmitic acids (Bukovská & Guba, 2011). Additionally, goat cheese also contains cholesterol, which can be useful when consumed in moderate amounts (Ibezim et al., 2019).

Saturated Fatty Acids

Saturated fatty acids are considered “solid” at room temperature due to the presence of hydrogen atoms linked together by single bonds. These molecules are relatively greater in size than other fats, leaving them solid and immobile within the confines of a biological membrane (Pincus, 2012). The most common saturated fatty acid in goat cheese is stearic acid. It comprises nearly sixty percent of the total amount of saturated fatty acids in goat cheese samples (Ibezim et al., 2019). Stearic acid exists mainly in fats of animal origin and helps raise HDL cholesterol levels in the body, making it an integral component of a balanced diet (Krämer & Breithaupt, 2010). Other minor components of the saturated artery group include lauric, myristic, pentadecanoic, and palmitic acids; however, their percentages remain relatively low (Ibezim et al., 2019).

Unsaturated Fatty Acids

Unsaturated fatty acids represent the largest fraction of lipids in goat cheese, accounting for seven out of every ten lipid grams in a sample (Ibezim et al., 2019). Unsaturated fatty acids are characterized by double bonds – unlike saturated fatty acids. As they lack multiple bonded hydrogens, they appear in liquid form at room temperature. Common monosaturated fatty acids found in goat cheese include oleic and elaidic acid, both derived from the MUFA group of lipids. Studies have suggested that consumption of the unsaturated types of fatty acids may improve blood lipid profiles, reduce insulin resistance, and aid weight loss efforts (Maltese 2020). Personally, I believe this could also make GOAT milk cheeses a valuable part of any diet plan. Furthermore, some studies have shown that frequent intake of Omega-3 fatty acids like Alpha-linolenic acid may promote neurological development in infants and reduce risk factors associated with mental illness later in life. Finally, palmitic acid is another major unsaturated constituent of goat cheese, contributing nearly four percent of all lipid content (Ibezim et al., 2019). Palmitic acid is beneficial because it serves as a metabolic precursor to create bioactive metabolites known as sphingolipids, which enable optimal nervous system functioning and energy conversion process.

Cholesterol

Goat cheese naturally contains small quantities of cholesterol, but its amount varies based on seasonal changes, lifestyle, processing and production methods, variety of breed, etc. Cholesterol plays an interesting role in goat cheese on several levels, firstly as an emulsifier of water and oil and secondly, it provides flavor and does not contain trans-fat, nor hydrogenated oils. However, moderation is key for healthy maintenance; Too much cholesterol can result in high LDL ("bad") and too little can lead to malnutrition. Therefore, even though goat cheese contains cholesterol, it should only be eaten occasionally or in combination with other proteins, carbohydrates and plant-based sources in order to keep your diet balanced, nutritious and enjoy the taste.

Conclusion

This overview of the various types of fatty acids and lipids present in goat cheese reveals the importance of including this food in our daily meals for improved nutrition and general health. While consuming saturated fats like stearic acid should be done in moderation, incorporating unsaturated fatty acids, omega-3s, and cholesterol found in goat cheese can lead to longer lasting success in achieving better cardiometabolic results without disregarding deliciousness!