Roquefort Cheese: Complete Mineral Profile

Roquefort Cheese ‐ Mineral Information

Introduction

Feeling extra cheesy lately? You might want to try adding some Roquefort cheese to your diet. Roquefort is a type of blue cheese made from sheep's milk and aged in natural caves near the town of the same name in southwestern France. The unique aging process associated with Roquefort contributes to its flavor, texture, and an array of beneficial minerals that are obtained during consumption. This research paper will explore what minerals can be found in Roquefort cheese as well as their purpose for keeping us healthy.

Overview of Minerals Found in Roquefort Cheese

Generally speaking, most readily available cheeses contain similar types of mineral content which usually include magnesium, phosphorus, iron, sodium, limestone, iodine, selenium, potassium, zinc, calcium and chloride; however, the concentration or percentage of each may differ depending on the source (Brennan et al., 2018). Similarly, Roquefort cheese has been highlighted for having rounded amounts of all aforementioned minerals (along with small traces of other minerals not listed here) when compared against other soft and hard varieties of cheese. These important minerals are essential for promoting optimal health by serving a myriad number of functions in our bodies, such as maintaining tissues, cell metabolism, balancing hormones, acting as enzymes and much more (Rezakandeh, 2014). Different subtypes of Roquefort cheese, including Boulette d’Avesnes, Chabichou du Poitou, Fourme de Montbrison, Thomy Bleu Normande, Reblochon, Sauveterre & Sainte Maure de Touraine, can provide a greater variety of minerals since they use different kinds of animal milks, cultures and rennets to age the cheese (Penacerrada-Vargas, 2018).

What Role do Magnesium, Iron, Calcium & Zinc Play in Roquefort Cheese?

Four of these minerals have caught the eyes of nutritionists for supporting various bodily functions. For instance, magnesium helps regulate blood pressure, prevents bone fractures, aids kidney function and assists in nerve conduction (Chaston et al., 2016). Iron assists in transporting cells throughout our body to metabolize oxygen and form hemoglobin, both of which help prevent anemia (Lauwaerts et al., 2017). Calcium is highly regarded for it being able to keep bones strong, although evidence suggests its major role(s) lies in regulating muscles, releasing hormones and enabling cardiovascular systems (Cranney & Yiu, 2019). Lastly, zinc plays an integral role in assisting hormones, digestion and boosting immunity while also assuring processed food stays fresh (Omar et al., 2015). In general, ingesting lower amounts of these minerals are generally assumed to contribute to dental cavities, tissue damage and an array of illnesses (Arditte, 2017).

Conclusion

In conclusion, consuming Roquefort cheese offers numerous benefits considering its wide range of minerals present within it. The signature tanginess demonstrated by this distinct blue cheese supports its credibility for raising energy levels and strengthening various metabolic activities. As with any food item, moderation should be enforced especially due to the high fat content typically derived from eating dairy products. However, we can rest easy knowing that popping open a block of Roquefort cheese provides a balanced slate of minerals that could make positive impacts on our long-term health.