Camembert Cheese: Nutritional Value and Benefits

If you are a cheese lover, you can't miss out on including Camembert in your diet. It has a high nutritional density and several health benefits.

Written and verified by the nutritionist Saúl Sánchez Arias.

Last update: 22 March, 2023

Camembert cheese is a type of dairy product made from cow’s milk, with a mild and very fatty flavor that’s often used as a spread. It has a creamy texture and is appreciated by cheese lovers.

In addition, its nutritional value is positive, as we’ll see below. It has a number of health benefits that shouldn’t be overlooked. It can be included in a diet on a regular basis.

Before we begin, it should be noted that nutrition experts advise the consumption of at least a couple of servings of dairy products every day to keep the body in good condition. These elements provide a high amount of essential nutrients of good quality, such as protein, calcium, and certain fat-soluble vitamins.

Nutritional value of camembert cheese

From the point of view of nutritional value, Camembert cheese has 300 calories per 100 grams (4 oz) of product. In total, it provides about 20 grams (nearly 1 oz) of protein of high biological value. They contain all the essential amino acids and score well in terms of digestibility. Therefore, they’re essential to cover the daily requirements and avoid complex problems, such as sarcopenia.

As far as fats are concerned, this dairy product has about 24 grams (1 oz) per 100 grams (4 oz) of product. Most of the fatty acids are of the saturated type, but this isn’t considered negative.

The idea that these lipids generate alterations in cholesterol concentration or increase cardiovascular risk has already been discarded. In the end, only trans lipids should be avoided. These have been shown to generate systemic inflammation.

Finally, it is important to mention the micronutrients present in Camembert cheese. They are vitamins A, C, and D, as well as minerals such as calcium, iron and magnesium.

Benefits of Camembert cheese

Among the main benefits of Camembert cheese, we can highlight its effect on muscle mass, thanks to the proteins it concentrates. These are elements that consolidate a good recovery after physical exercise and that can prevent the degeneration of lean mass and loss of strength.

For this reason, it’s essential to cover at least 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of weight per day in sedentary people, according to a study published in the Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism.

Likewise, this type of dairy becomes a determining factor in promoting good bone health, avoiding fractures. This is due to its calcium content, a mineral that forms part of the bone matrix.

Vitamin D also makes a difference. This last nutrient enhances the intestinal absorption of calcium and its subsequent fixation in the bones, as evidenced by research published in Frontiers of Hormone Research.

Nor should we forget the iron that camembert cheese provides. It’s key to prevent anemia and ensure the correct transport of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues.

How to eat it?

The most common way to eat Camembert cheese is to serve it with something it can be spread on. Examples would be a slice of bread, corn or rice pancakes for dipping. This will get the most out of it from an organoleptic point of view.

There’s also the option of presenting it with fruit, as the combination will be positive. This would add the possibility of ensuring the intake of phytochemicals of vegetable origin, which will control the internal inflammatory mechanisms.

Camembert cheese is a beneficial food for our health

Camembert cheese is good for health when it’s included in the context of a balanced and varied diet. It should be noted that dairy products aren’t capable of causing inflammation. In fact, their consumption is considered important.

They’re a source of several essential nutrients and their quality is very high. It’s only necessary to moderate the intake of the fattiest ones to avoid calorie imbalances that could increase weight.