Is Cheese an Aphrodisiac? And Other Surprising Benefits of Eating Cheese

Dairy is not necessarily a food group evocative of sensuality. And you certainly don’t find a lot of physicians handing out pamphlets on cheese benefits. Yet cheese is a delicacy of European culture. And it is said by some to resemble the scent of a woman.

So if you’re wondering, “Is cheese an aphrodisiac?,” the short answer is yes.

Although most cultures around the world don’t really talk about Gouda or Cheddar in romantic terms, it is embraced in Italian culture as an aphrodisiac – and with good reason.

The many surprising health benefits of cheese

If you’re wondering, “but is cheese good for you?” the answer is a yes, but…Cheese contains saturated fat and if your doctor has recommended that you reduce saturated fat consumption, then you should be careful around cheese.

In addition, cheese has no fiber. And if you’re replacing fiber foods with your cheese consumption, your body will rebel in the form of constipation, (which is decidedly un-sexy).

RELATED: Why You Need to Eat Good Fiber Foods

And as far as the question, “Is cheese healthy,” you’ll see here some good reasons it can positively impact your romantic life but if you’re looking for improving overall health, you should consider what type of cheese you’re eating.

The healthiest types of cheese

If you’re worried about any negative health effects of cheese, you can choose one of the cheeses with the most benefits. For example, most nutrition authorities agree that goat cheese, like chevre, is good for you.

Goat cheese benefits include the fact that goat’s milk cheeses contain more medium-chain fatty acids than are in cow’s milk. This type of fat appears to be rapidly absorbed by the body, rather than getting stored as fat.

Sheep’s milk cheeses like Feta also make the list of the best choices for cheese benefits.

The benefits of cottage cheese

Of course, if you want to enjoy cow’s milk cheese, cottage cheese benefits might surprise you.

This soft, white, fresh cheese is not only high in protein but offers several nutrients, including several directly linked with sexual health.

Cottage cheese is high in folate, selenium, calcium and vitamin B12. And it also contains vitamin B6 and a decent amount of zinc. And if you choose low-fat cottage cheese, it has less than one-quarter the fat in a serving of ripe brie. So if you’re looking for a low-fat source of animal protein, cottage cheese is good for you.

In addition, studies show that the body perceives cottage cheese as filling and helps you stay feeling satisfied for longer than most foods. As such, many nutrition experts recommend cottage cheese for weight loss because it can potentially help you reduce your overall calorie intake.

The benefits of cheese sexually

One of the most interesting advantages of cheese, particularly when it comes to considering whether cheese is an aphrodisiac food, is the fact that it contains phenylethylamine or PEA. If PEA sounds familiar, that’s because it’s a compound often linked with chocolate’s aphrodisiac effects.

But what most people don’t realize is that cheese can trigger the brain to produce ten times as much PEA as does the aphrodisiac of chocolate. And PEA is believed to be responsible for that hormonal rush during sexual intercourse.

The scents of cheeses can be arousing

One of cheese’s most surprising attributes was brought to light by an Australian researcher and physician, Dr. Max Lake. Dr. Lake performed extensive studies on the connection between sexual arousal and culinary scents.

And with regard to cheese, in his book Scents & Sensuality, Dr. Lake commented, “The vaguely sexual odors of certain cheeses may be pleasant to both men and women.” (Although it is now out of print, you can get Dr. Lake’s book from Amazon.)

In addition to the PEA provided by a serving of cheese, Lake surmises that part of this ancient food’s appeal is its lusty scent. In fact, the five-carbon fatty acid that gives most cheeses their flavor is a close relative to a female pheromone.

RELATED: Need a great recipe with cheese? We’ve got one! 

Cheese improves mouth health

Lastly, one of my personal favorite benefits of cheese both as an aphrodisiac and for overall health is its ability to keep your mouth healthy and fresh.

According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, cheese helps produce saliva. This cuts down on gum disease. And the calcium in cheese helps keep your teeth strong. And let’s face it, a healthy mouth is a kissable mouth.

Some sexy ways to serve cheese

Cheese is a food that needs little preparation to be enjoyed. Just let it warm up from refrigerator temperature to truly appreciate its flavor and the rich texture dairy brings to this food of love.

But there are some ways to serve cheese that are sexier than others.

I don’t think anyone could ever deny the sensuality of hot cheese fondue.

Cheese can also be used in place of dessert at the end of a romantic dinner when it is served with a sweet accompaniment like this wine-soaked cherries recipe.

Here are some of my other favorite sexy ways to serve cheese:

Rosemary Cheese Scones

Cheese-Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms

Basque Cheesecake

Discover more of the world’s greatest aphrodisiac foods

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Amy Reiley

Eat Something Sexy's Creator & Editor-in-Chief Amy Reiley is the award-winning author of five aphrodisiac cookbooks. She has her Master of Arts in Gastronomy, awarded by Le Cordon Bleu and The University of Adelaide.

Amy is considered a leading authority on aphrodisiacs. Her work in aphrodisiacs is quoted in publications including National Geographic, The New York Times, Epicurious, Wine Enthusiast, Health and Playboy magazines. She speaks internationally on aphrodisiac foods and has brought her knowledge of aphrodisiac history and science to national television shows including The Today Show and CBS Early Show. She is a frequent guest on relationship and lifestyle radio and podcast shows and has been interviewed by BBC and NPR radio, Cosmopolitan radio and popular podcasts including My Dad Wrote a Porno.

Amy is also a freelance food, wine and health researcher and writer as well as a wine competition judge. Her work has appeared in publications ranging from Variety to The Daily Meal. She is an MSN content provider. And she is also a former wine editor for Gayot.com and wine & spirits editor of Las Vegas magazine.

Fun fact: Amy was the creator of the first ever comprehensive food and wine apps, Amy Reiley's Pocket Gourmet and Amy Reiley's Pocket Vineyard for Palm.

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