Great news: Cheese isn't as 'unhealthy' as everyone thinks

There aren't many things better on this planet than cheese.

But unfortunately, it's often right near the top of the list when we think of foods which are "unhealthy".

Thanks to its high fat content and link to high cholesterol – plus the fact it features in so many of our beloved comfort foods – cheese is often demonised as a "bad food".

However, a new study has found that might not be the case.

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Researchers at the National Centre for Geriatrics and Gerontology in Obu, Japan took a look at the diets of 1500 participants over the age of 65. They found the people who regularly ate cheese scored higher on cognitive tests than those who didn't.

But that's not all – regular cheese consumption was also tied to lower BMI, lower blood pressure, faster walking speeds, and a more varied diet.

Though the researchers couldn't pinpoint exactly what it is about cheese that led to these more positive health benefits, they noted it was possible cheese may contain nutrients which "support cognitive function".

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Yes, there are still some qualities of cheese that are "unhealthy", as it is high in saturated fat and calcium. However, it is also rich in calcium and protein, and some fermented types contain probiotics.

Cheese can certainly be a part of a healthy diet, it's just all about how you eat it, dieticians say.

"Eating cheese with foods like refined grains (white pasta, bread, crackers, etc.) and processed meats may negate its health benefits," say scientists from Harvard University.

"On the other hand, cheese may provide health benefits if consumed as a replacement for red and processed meats or eaten as a snack instead of potato chips."

So basically, yes - cheese is good for you. But you can't just eat a cheeseburger and call it a health food.

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Just because cheese is high in fat, doesn't mean it's bad.

"We do need some fat in our diets," dietitian Dr Duane Mellor told The Telegraph. "Fat is a key source of energy at times of food hardship, and it provides padding to protect our vital organs, but it's important for much more than just that.

It's all about choosing the right types of cheese as well.

"Tasty cheese is the highest source of calcium but also the highest in fat," nutrition and wellbeing specialist Melanie McGrice told 9Honey.

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"Low-fat cheeses tend to have more salt, and white cheeses such as ricotta and cottage cheese don't have as much calcium or protein. It's nice to have a variety of different cheeses – all have different pros and cons."