When you look through the many different gift hampers online, you may have noticed that there are a lot of baskets that include different kinds of cheese.  While some people might think of cheese as little more than a pizza topping, there are so many more refined varieties than your run of the mill cheddar.  In addition, when you send a cheese hamper as a gift, you are sending a luxurious gift that also provides a number of health benefits for the recipient.
 
Different types of cheese posses different qualities but you are likely to find that they contain a combination of nutrients like vitamin A, B-6, B-12, C, D, E and K.  Depending on the type of cheese, they may contain niacin, riboflavin and/or thiamin.  Essential minerals found in cheese include calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, sodium and zinc.
 
Since they are packed full of vitamins and minerals all beneficial for the body, you can also imagine the many health benefits of cheese.  As a source of calcium, eating cheese promotes strong, healthy teeth and bones.  Cheese is also low in lactose (which actually harms teeth since it is a type of sugar).  Older cheeses have lower levels of lactose.  The presence of B vitamins also helps in the formation of bones and cartilage while vitamin D is known as a calcium fortifier.
 
People suffering from osteoporosis are advised to consume plenty of calcium, protein and vitamins in order to help their condition.  Cheese is rich in all three of these properties which makes it a great addition to an osteoporosis patient’s diet.
 
The only possible concern when it comes to cheese is the possible high fat and high sodium (salt) content.  The fact of the matter is that cheese without salt doesn’t really exist.  Even if you made your own cheese without adding salt, it would taste quite similar to cardboard.  People suffering from hypertension (high blood pressure) are advised to avoid too much salt since sodium increases the blood pressure.  As for the fat content, there are a large number of low fat and even fat free cheeses on the market today.  They might not taste as good as the varieties with higher fat contents but they offer a healthy option for those who need to avoid consuming too much fat or are simply watching their weight.
 
It is also important to note that the benefits mentioned above do by no means suggest that anyone and everyone can eat an endless supply of cheese every day.  There are limits and one must exercise moderation with almost all foods in order to enjoy the benefits without suffering any negative consequences (like significant weight gain).