The unhealthiest spread for bread. A closer look at processed cheese

Processed cheese might be a derivative of regular cheese, but its contents are sometimes far from the dairy product we're familiar with. While some processed cheeses could be relatively healthy, they're often lost amidst a vast sea of harmful counterfeits packed with unhealthy additives. What exactly should we look out for when choosing to buy processed cheeses?

These days, an array of processed cheese is available. They're often eye-catching in stores, enclosed in colorful packaging in varied forms – from cubes to individual slices – and accompanied by a wide range of flavor additives such as herbs, mushrooms, meats, fish, or seafood. Consuming them occasionally won't cause significant harm but remember, they're usually highly processed products full of unhealthy additives.

The Truth About Processed Cheese: Does it Even Contain Cheese?

Processed cheese manufacturing hasn't changed drastically since its inception about a century ago. Ingredients like rennet cheese, milk proteins, butter, emulsifying salts, spices, common salt, and flavor additives are melted together at temperatures ranging from 158-203 degrees Fahrenheit. The hot mix is then poured into the packaging and cooled.

That's how the production of processed cheese would ideally be. However, the reality is these products are often loaded with preservatives, flavors, emulsifiers, and hardeners, and cheese constitutes only a meager portion of the whole product. Worse still, some products in the market might not contain any cheese at all – these are often referred to as cheese-like products or melted creams.

Processed cheese: Laden with Fats and Preservatives

The list of ingredients for processed cheese often contains unhealthy additives. These cheeses may include hydrogenated vegetable fats, which considerably increase the risk of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. These so-called trans fats can lead to obesity, and hinder the functioning of the respiratory system, the reproductive system, and several organs including the brain and pancreas. They could also contribute to chronic inflammation, a precursor for tumors.

Another possible unhealthy ingredient in processed cheese is phosphates. Excessive consumption of phosphates tends to disrupt the body's balance, inhibiting the absorption of calcium, magnesium, and zinc, as well as the synthesis of vitamin D.

Several products of this kind also contain a contentious additive, carrageenan (E 407), which functions as a thickener and stabilizer. Despite its continued approval by the European Union as a "quantum satis" additive for unrestricted use in foods, recent scientific studies have raised concerns about its consumption. Excessive intake of carrageenan could harm the mucous membrane of our stomach and intestines, trigger inflammation and ulceration, and potentially even contribute to tumor development.