New Delhi, Oct. 24 -- We consume cheese in countless forms: melted mozzarella layered over a pizza, parmesan shaved over pasta, feta in salad and processed cheese grated over a plate of Maggi. As the festive season sets in, cheese platters will be served alongside mithais at Diwali parties. And yet, cheese has often come under scrutiny for its high saturated fat content, which can raise LDL (low-density lipoprotein), also known as "bad" cholesterol. Its sodium content can further contribute to elevated blood pressure. Both are risk factors for heart disease.

Cardiologist Dr Subrat Akhoury of Asian Hospital in Faridabad says, "Concerns about fat and sodium is relevant, particularly for people with high blood pressure or high cholesterol. ...