Are you a fan of blue cheese? Do you enjoy its tangy and pungent flavor?
While it may be a delicious addition to your meals, have you ever wondered if it can cause any negative health effects?
In this article, we will explore the potential side effects of consuming blue cheese, specifically whether it can give you diarrhea.
We’ll also delve into the causes of food poisoning and allergic reactions related to blue cheese consumption.
So, if you’re curious about the impact of this popular cheese on your digestive system, keep reading!
Can Blue Cheese Give You Diarrhea?
Yes, blue cheese can give you diarrhea. Like other soft cheeses, blue cheese can be contaminated with harmful bacteria such as Clostridium botulinum, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus. These bacteria can cause food poisoning, which can lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea.
Additionally, some people may experience bowel discomfort after consuming blue cheese if they suffer from lactose intolerance. Dairy products contain lactose, a natural sugar that some people are unable to digest properly. This can lead to uncomfortable symptoms such as stomach cramps, flatulence, and diarrhea.
It’s important to note that everyone is different and what triggers diarrhea for one person may not affect another. However, if you notice any signs of spoilage on your blue cheese such as fuzzy white, green, pink or grey spots growing on the surface or a strong odor similar to ammonia, it’s best to discard it immediately. Consuming spoiled blue cheese can cause food poisoning and increase exposure to harmful mycotoxins.
What Is Blue Cheese?
Blue cheese is a type of cheese that is made from cow’s milk, sheep’s milk, or goat’s milk. It is characterized by its blue veins or spots, which are created by the introduction of Penicillium mold during the cheese-making process. The mold gives blue cheese its distinctive flavor and aroma, which can range from mild and creamy to strong and pungent.
Blue cheese can be made in various forms, including crumbled, sliced, or in a wheel or wedge. It is commonly used as a topping for salads, burgers, and sandwiches, or as an ingredient in dips and sauces. Some popular types of blue cheese include Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Stilton, and Danish blue.
While blue cheese can be a delicious addition to many dishes, it is important to handle and store it properly to avoid the risk of food poisoning. As mentioned earlier, blue cheese can be contaminated with harmful bacteria such as Clostridium botulinum, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus. It is also important to note that some people may experience bowel discomfort after consuming blue cheese if they suffer from lactose intolerance or a milk allergy.
The Nutritional Value Of Blue Cheese
Blue cheese is not only a delicious addition to any meal, but it also offers a variety of notable health benefits. For example, blue cheese is rich in calcium, even when compared to other types of cheese. A one-ounce serving of blue cheese contains 150 mg of calcium, which is important for maintaining healthy bones and reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
In addition to calcium, blue cheese also contains spermidine, a compound that may delay aging and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. While the exact reason for this effect remains unclear, researchers believe that spermidine has a positive effect on cardiac muscle cells and other parts of the cardiovascular system.
Blue cheese is also a low FODMAP food, which means it can be enjoyed by those following a low FODMAP diet. This type of diet may help those with bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
However, it’s important to note that overconsumption of blue cheese can add excess calories and saturated fat to the diet. One ounce of blue cheese contains 8.14 g of fat, of which 5.3 g is saturated fat. This type of fat can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. It’s recommended to limit saturated fats so that they comprise only 5–6% of a person’s total daily calorie intake.
What Causes Food Poisoning From Blue Cheese?
Food poisoning from blue cheese can be caused by the presence of harmful bacteria such as Clostridium botulinum, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus. These bacteria can contaminate the cheese during the production process, or during storage and handling.
Symptoms of food poisoning from blue cheese can include nausea, vomiting, cramps, and diarrhea. These symptoms generally appear within 6 hours of consuming infected blue cheese. Blue cheese that has gone bad may also develop a strong odor similar to ammonia or have fuzzy white, green, pink or grey spots growing on its surface. Consuming spoiled blue cheese can cause food poisoning and increase exposure to harmful mycotoxins.
It’s important to store blue cheese properly and practice food safety to prevent food poisoning. Blue cheese should be discarded if there are any changes in its appearance or smell. It’s also important to note that some people may experience bowel discomfort after consuming blue cheese if they suffer from lactose intolerance or are allergic to casein.
Allergic Reactions To Blue Cheese
Blue cheese can also cause allergic reactions in some people. Milk is one of the most common food allergies in children and adults, and is the main ingredient used to make blue cheese. If you have a known milk allergy, you need to avoid all dairy products, including cheese, yogurt and ice cream. Consuming even a small amount of milk can cause an allergic reaction, triggering diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, skin rashes, wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and chest tightness. Most symptoms from a milk allergy will appear in a matter of minutes after ingesting blue cheese.
But how can we be allergic to moldy cheese? The blue spots found in blue cheese are called molds. If you are diagnosed with a mold allergy, eating blue cheese can trigger mold allergy. It commonly arises from airborne spores during the spring. Mold spores cause inflammation in the eyes. Ingested molds can cause inflammation in other parts of the body, such as the gastrointestinal system. If you are suffering from mold allergy you need to abstain from dry fruits.
Inflammation is caused due to histamine produced in the soft tissue by the allergenic product that you consumed. Allergy is a reaction that is caused by the immune system where the immune system releases immunoglobulin antibodies that attack the substance. In some cases, this inflammation can lead to damage in the respiratory and cardiovascular system which may also lead to a state of shock. This may sometimes be life-threatening so if you notice any inflammation after having blue cheese see your doctor as soon as possible.
It’s important to be aware of common dietary restrictions and food allergens. Blue cheese is one of the eight major allergenic foods, which includes milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soybeans. These foods account for about 90% of all food allergies in the United States. Severe food allergies can be life-threatening and following ingestion of a food allergen, a person with food allergies can experience a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. It’s important to practice food safety and avoid consuming spoiled blue cheese to prevent negative side effects and enjoy blue cheese safely.
How To Safely Consume Blue Cheese
If you want to enjoy blue cheese without the risk of getting diarrhea or food poisoning, there are some steps you can take to ensure its safety. First, always purchase blue cheese from a reputable source and check the expiration date before consuming it. Make sure to store blue cheese properly in the refrigerator, and consume it within a few weeks of opening.
When consuming blue cheese, it’s important to pay attention to your body’s reactions. If you have a history of lactose intolerance or have experienced discomfort after consuming dairy products, it may be best to avoid blue cheese altogether. Additionally, if you experience any symptoms of food poisoning such as nausea, vomiting, cramps, or diarrhea after consuming blue cheese, seek medical attention immediately.
To reduce the risk of contamination, always wash your hands before handling blue cheese and use clean utensils when cutting or serving it. Avoid leaving blue cheese out at room temperature for extended periods of time, as this can promote the growth of harmful bacteria.
