
Cream cheese is used as a spread for crackers, bagels, bread, etc. It is a popular item among food lovers. It has both nutritional as well as health benefits. An understanding of these benefits can help harness the goodness cream cheese offers.
Cream cheese is made by combining milk and cream. It is produced by heat-treating cream which aids in the removal of harmful microbes. It displays acidic properties, as lactic acid bacteria are added to it. Other additives such as clotting enzymes are blended to give it a firm texture. However, before firming it up, a few thickening agents are also mixed to it.
The resultant cream cheese is of course a fine spread. Dietary studies have established a few nutritional benefits to it, which are listed below.
1. Source of antioxidants
When the presence of unstable substances – often, molecules – is more pronounced in your body, cell-level damages may begin. Cream cheese contains numerous antioxidants capable of waging a fight against such damaging molecules and substances. Apart from this, cream cheese also has antioxidants of the carotenoid genre. These can bring goodness to your eye sight as well as strengthen eye health.
2. Provides vitamin A
Each ounce of cream cheese may contain upto 85 milligrams of vitamin A. It is good for your vision. Above all, it is a fat-soluble substance. The sizeable presence of this essential vitamin is viewed as a health benefit acquired by consuming cream cheese.
3. Lower lactose content
People with lactose intolerance may have problems digesting the sugar. Intake of lactose may lead to signs such as indigestion, flatulence, bloating, gas formation, etc. Those with lactose intolerance are advised to reduce intake of dairy related food products. Dietary studies indicate that an ounce of cream cheese contains upto 2 grams of lactose, which makes it easy to consume to those with intolerance of lactose.
4. Probiotic properties
A few of the strains of lactic acid bacteria are known to have probiotic capabilities. These are good for your body and can boost immunity levels. Probiotics can also decrease inflammation and also work against a few autoimmune diseases. Studies have also revealed that heat treatment may harm the probiotic properties. Hence it is advised to opt for cream cheese containing probiotics that are alive.
5. Source of calcium
Calcium is an essential mineral to strengthen your bones. It is proven to be a fine ingredient to enhance the health of your nerves and muscles. Provision of adequate calcium is also known to strengthen your cardiac health. Not stopping with these, your oral health, mental wellbeing and skin may also benefit from supply of calcium. In cream cheese, calcium offers nearly 100 mg of nutrient benefits in each 100 gram serving.
6. Supply of phosphorous
The benefits of phosphorous include maintenance of cardiac wellbeing, relaxation to your muscles, enhanced conduction capabilities of your nerves, improvement of waste management function of your kidneys, etc. Phosphorous is also known for its ability to strengthen your bones. In the same note, it is also endowed with goodness for your dental health. The nutrient value of phosphorous in cream centre is observed as 107 mg in each of its 100 gram servings.
7. Provision of proteins
Proteins are found to offer nearly 6.2 grams of nutrient value in a serving of 100 grams of cream cheese. Cream cheese can supply proteins which are high on amino acids. These are essential ingredients for your overall wellbeing, general health and development of your body. Proteins can specifically give you added strength, enhance your bone health and also help with weight management. Proteins can also lessen your appetite and your craving for food or snacking, especially late in the nights.
8. Source of zinc
Cream cheese has zinc as an ingredient. Its zinc presence is estimated to offer about 0.5 mg of nutrient value per 100 grams of cream cheese. Zinc can offer benefits such as enhancement of your memory, boosting your cognitive abilities, improvement of your immunity levels as well as fighting the risks associated with elderly age. To top it all, zinc can also make your wounds heal faster.
9. Presence of magnesium
The health benefits of magnesium are: decrease in resistance to insulin, ability to decrease your blood pressure, minimize the risks associated with incidence of type 2 diabetes, etc. Magnesium is also found to be good for your mental health and is known for its properties to fight migraines. Nutrient value of magnesium in cream cheese is found to be 9 mg in a serving of 100 grams.
10. Supply of vitamin-B12
These vitamins can keep you away from anemia, by boosting your body’s ability to make red blood cells. It is also endowed with properties to minimize risks of bone decay or osteoporosis, boost your mental wellbeing and also enhance the health of your nails, skin, hair, etc.
11. Copper and iron content
Copper can yield greater protection to your cells from possible damages, help your body to make use of iron, boost your immune function, enrich the wellbeing of your nerves, help your body to make more red blood cells and also supply needful minerals for bone health. Last but not least, copper can help your body to convert sugar into energy. Copper provides a nutrient value of nearly 0.02 mg per 100 grams of cream cheese.
Iron yields about 0.1 mg of nutrient value in every 100 grams of cream cheese served. Iron can help by offering needful energy; it can assist your body in maintaining the right temperature, can stimulate your immunity function and can also ensure better gastrointestinal health.
12. Presence of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium
Electrolytes like sodium can help your body to strike the right balance of fluid content, boost the transmission strengths of your nerves and keep away risks of muscular cramping or convulsions. A tablespoon of cream cheese contains upto 45 mg of sodium.
Potassium’s benefits include reduction of blood pressure, enhancement of your body’s ability to retain fluids, keeping risks associated with osteoporosis at bay and also helps to activate renal health. Potassium is found to take a 4% share of the DV.
13. Provision of vitamin E
This vitamin makes for almost 3% of DV. Vitamin categorized under this type contains a host of goodness. These are: it can prevent inflammation, stimulate your immunity levels, can enhance your ocular health and eye sight, reduce threats associated with autoimmune diseases such as cancer and also helps in preventing cardiac disorders.
In sum, cream cheese has a greater share of fats and some share of proteins. Its key health benefits reside in its ability to supply essential vitamins such as vitamin A. It is also known for possessing lesser amount of calories in it. In two tablespoons, it is found to contain about 80 calories. In fact, there are lighter versions of cream cheese now made available. Such versions report even lesser calories, clocking a limit of 70 calories per two tablespoons. So, if you wish to enhance the way your bread, crackers or bagel tastes, all you need to do is to whip and spread cream cheese on top.