According to a study, consuming Jarlsberg cheese may help reduce bone loss and fight off osteoporosis.
Jarlsberg is a mild cow’s-milk cheese with regular holes, which classifies it as a Swiss-style cheese despite its Norwegian origin. It is abundant in vitamin K2, which has been shown to promote bone health.
According to the findings of a study published in the journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health, a daily serving may promote bone formation and regeneration.
Participants in the trial received a daily serving of Jarlsberg or camembert, both of which are low in vitamin K2. The scientists reported that indicators of bone growth increased with Jarlsberg consumption and decreased marginally with camembert consumption.
Prof. Sumantra Ray from the NNEdPro Global Centre for Nutrition and Health in Cambridge stated, “This work demonstrates that while calcium and vitamin D are well-known to be crucial for bone health, there are other critical elements at play, such as vitamin K2, which is probably less well-known.
However, experts expressed skepticism regarding the findings. The study included only 66 healthy premenopausal women; their diets were not examined, so other potential dietary variables could not be accounted for; and Jarlsberg’s maker, Tine, partially sponsored the research.
Tom Sanders, emeritus professor of nutrition and dietetics at King’s College London, stated that the described effects are unlikely to be unique to Jarlsberg cheese and may be present in other long-fermented, hard cheeses.
Dr. Simon Steenson, a nutrition scientist at the British Nutrition Foundation, stated, “Existing dietary recommendations must be considered when recommending Jarlsberg cheese for bone health.”
It is estimated that more than 2 million women in England and Wales have osteoporosis, often known as brittle bone disease. It causes around 180,000 bone fractures per year.
According to experts, bone health is dependent on a proper intake of calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin K, which are also present in dark green vegetables such as kale.
