A saying, supposedly from Pliny, a Roman writer, states that cheese closes the stomach. There are two reasons cheese is said to serve this function.
The rumor about the cheese
Cheese is said, and this is probably where the saying comes from, to buffer excess stomach acid. The protein in cheese is said to be responsible for this apparent buffering function. Too much gastric acid carries the risk of reflux into the esophagus. There it can cause great damage, since the mucous membrane of the esophagus is not armed against the acid attack.
People who suffer from heartburn or acid regurgitation know the feeling of eating a meal “several times”. For these, it would be quite helpful if cheese actually finished the meal and served as a sort of temporary seal.
In earlier times, patients suffering from heartburn were fed milk for days. The mistaken belief that protein in milk would buffer stomach acid was to blame.
The truth
Today, it is known that protein-containing foods such as cheese are acid-forming foods and consequently counterproductive to the buffering process.
Further speculation
However, perhaps this idiom applied to the closure of the stomach outlet and not at all to the stomach inlet. Thus, cheese would close the gate from the stomach to the intestines and delay the digestion that begins after a meal. The fat content in cheese would have this “closing power”. The stomach allows much more time for fat-containing meals to pass to the intestines than it does for meals containing carbohydrates or protein. This increases the feeling of satiety.
What cheese can really do
Enough speculation. One thing scientists have found out: Cheese has a protective effect on tooth decay. Here, the calcium and phosphate, which are found in abundance in cheese, play a significant role. These two minerals harden the tooth enamel and protect the tooth from aggressive influences. Therefore: Treat yourself to a piece of cheese for dessert if it tastes good and is good for you!
A little lesson from our French neighbors: there it is customary to enjoy a cheese snack at the end of a meal. The French know that fat should not be spared in cheese, as it is a flavor carrier. Thus, with the “cheese after” they do not run the risk of getting full beforehand with the calorie-rich treat.
Tip: Take the cheese out of the fridge in good time, because it only tastes really good at room temperature!
