Cheese is a staple in many diets, loved for its creamy texture and rich flavor. However, my research, personal experience, and experimentation suggest that eating too much cheese, especially high-fat varieties, can contribute to mental health issues such as depression and brain fog.
The issue lies in cheese’s nutrient composition. While it’s high in calcium, it’s low in magnesium—a mineral vital for mental health. Magnesium, along with zinc, plays a crucial role in maintaining brain function and emotional well-being. A diet overly reliant on calcium without sufficient magnesium can disrupt this balance, potentially leading to mood disturbances.
Moreover, saturated fat in cheese can have harmful effects on brain health. Just as it clogs heart vessels, it can also clog brain vessels, increasing inflammation and impairing blood flow. Research links high saturated fat intake to brain inflammation, a higher risk of stroke, and memory problems—all of which can exacerbate depression.
Cheese can also negatively impact digestion, which is closely tied to mental health. High-fat cheeses are harder to digest and can cause issues like constipation, gas, and bloating. Poor digestion affects the gut-brain connection, potentially triggering depressive symptoms.
Consider this simple experiment: eat a significant amount of cheese for a few days, then eliminate it entirely for the next few days. Many people notice they feel heavier, more sluggish, or even mildly depressed after overindulging in cheese. This effect tends to be more pronounced in individuals with pre-existing depression or mild digestive issues.
Another concern is casein, a protein in milk that some people’s immune systems react to. Studies have found that heightened immune reactivity to casein is often associated with the severity of mental health problems. A dairy-free diet has been shown to improve, and in some cases, completely resolve these issues.
Additionally, cheese is high in omega-6 fatty acids, which promote inflammation, while lacking sufficient omega-3 fatty acids that counteract it. This imbalance may further contribute to inflammation-related mood disorders.
It’s worth noting that not everyone experiences these effects. Those with robust mental health and strong digestive systems may tolerate cheese better than those with existing issues.
If you suspect cheese is affecting your mood, try eliminating it for a period and observe the results. Small dietary changes can significantly impact mental well-being.
Matt M. Eccles is the founder of Vitality and Happiness Blog. He is a philosopher, psychology enthusiast, wellness and digestion expert, author, and world traveler who is passionate about helping others reach and experience optimum health, true happiness, and increased vitality. The purpose of this website is to motivate and inspire people to handle life’s challenges. Uplift and encourage you to succeed in life and be happy and healthy, increase life quality, and become the best version of yourself.
You are correct in your assumptions.
I make homemade cream and cottage cheese with natural probiotics, as I tolerate if very well with my dairy allergy, and I drain it extremely well to remove the allergens. I feel it’s a good way to get my calcium.
However, I have noticed on eating it, I feel a wave of depression coming over me.
I developed an allergy to both wheat and sugar, last year. I was suffering for many years with depression, however, on giving both up, I noticed after a good couple of weeks had gone by that my depression was starting to fade, to where I hardly notice it any longer, today, however when I make my cream/cottage cheese it returns, but in a very much more milder way – considering that I have entirely given up all wheat and sugar.
That’s how I landed on this page.
Thank you for posting this article. I’m sure your post will help many others.