Jarlsberg is a mild cheese made from cow’s milk, with regular holes that mean it is classified as a Swiss-style cheese, although it originates from Norway. It is rich in vitamin K2, which has previously been found to improve bone health. The results of a study published in the journal BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health suggest that a daily serving could be beneficial for bone growth and regeneration. Study participants were given a daily serving of either Jarlsberg or Camembert, which are poor in vitamin K2. Bone growth markers increased with Jarlsberg consumption and decreased slightly in the camembert group, the authors said. “This study shows that while calcium and vitamin D are known to be extremely important for bone health, there are other key factors at play, such as vitamin K2, which may not be as well known,” said Professor Sumantra Ray, from NNEdPro. Global Center for Nutrition and Health in Cambridge. However, experts have expressed doubts about the findings. The study involved only 66 healthy, premenopausal women. their diet was not monitored during the study, meaning that other possible dietary influences could not be accounted for. and co-financed by Jarlsberg manufacturer Tine. Subscribe to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7am. BST “The reported results are unlikely to be specific to Jarlsberg cheese and may be similar in other hard, macro-fermented cheeses,” said Tom Sanders, emeritus professor of nutrition and dietetics at King’s College London. Dr Simon Steenson, a nutritionist at the British Foundation for Nutrition, said: “The recommendation of Jarlsberg cheese as a beneficial food for bone health should be balanced against existing dietary recommendations.” More than 2 million women in England and Wales are thought to have osteoporosis, also known as brittle bone disease. It is associated with approximately 180,000 broken bones a year. Experts say bone health depends on getting enough calcium and vitamin D as well as vitamin K, which is also found in dark green vegetables like kale.
