Parmigiano reggiano

Animal and lab studies only

• Benefit

  Salt in cheese⁵

  In lab studies, Parmigiano Reggiano made with less salt released more blood-pressure-friendly peptides during digestion.

• Benefit

  Gut bacteria growth⁶

  In lab studies, Parmigiano Reggiano's digested peptides helped gut bacteria like bifidobacteria and lactobacilli grow.

Study type not stated

• Benefit

  Blood pressure and bones⁴

  Parmigiano Reggiano contains peptides that may help keep blood pressure steady, plus calcium the body absorbs well.

How it’s made and used

• Gut bacteria from cheese³

  Parmesan cheese can carry gut bacteria from cows that briefly settle in people's guts.

• Gut absorption of peptides⁷

  In lab studies, some peptides in Parmigiano Reggiano pass through a model of the human gut lining.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least one finding in people. When most findings in people point one way, the page leans that way (“Mostly”), and every finding is still shown. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.