Ricotta provides vitamins, mineral salts and proteins, is anti-inflammatory and helps to fight overweight, obesity and metabolic syndrome. Topical applications of ricotta are a folk remedy useful in case of bruises, insect bites, sore throat, joint pain, tachycardia, bronchitis and scarsDairy products have long been considered products capable of increasing inflammation in the body. However, more and more studies are re-evaluating them and even demonstrating their healthy and anti-inflammatory action. Let’s take a closer look at this topic by talking in particular about a very tasty and versatile dairy product in the kitchen, ricotta.
Ricotta, what it is and nutrientsRicotta is not considered a cheese but only a dairy product. The reason is easily explained and that is that ricotta is not obtained from casein coagulation but from whey proteins, which is the liquid part that remains after the preparation of other cheeses, whether cow, goat or sheep (Mangione et al, Journal of Dairy Science, 2023). Ricotta is one of the most ancient milk products, it is believed to date back to the Bronze Age. And, in Homer’s Odyssey, it is mentioned that the cyclops Polyphemus was a skilled producer of sheep ricotta, much appreciated also by Ulysses and his companions who paid dearly for their gluttony. In fact, while pausing in Polyphemus’ cave to taste his ricotta, Ulysses and his companions remained prisoners of the Cyclops. But ricotta is not only a delicacy, soft and creamy, it is also a healthy dairy product, since it contains low amounts of salt and fat. Not only that, ricotta is a precious source of protein, it contains calcium, magnesium, potassium and selenium, but also vitamins of group B, A and E (USDA Food Data Central – Nzekoue et al, Int J Food Sci Nutr, 2021).Ricotta and inflammationIncluding ricotta, as well as other dairy products, in one’s diet, appears to have an anti-inflammatory action (Abreu et al, Nutrients, 2019). Not only that, the whey proteins from ricotta help support the immune response and counteract cellular degeneration (Amirani et al, Lipids Health Dis, 2020).
Ricotta, blood sugar, cholesterol and overweightStudies conducted on whey proteins have shown that their intake is helpful in the case of metabolic syndrome, helping to keep blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol under control (Amirani et al, Lipids Health Dis, 2020). Not only that, these proteins in ricotta have been shown to reduce circulating ghrelin, which is a hormone that stimulates hunger. Hence, ricotta is useful in case of overweight and obesity (Amirani et al, Lipids Health Dis, 2020).Ricotta, warningsAs we have seen, ricotta is a healthy food, which can be included in a healthy and varied diet with important benefits for the body. However, one should not overdo it, as with any other food. In addition, be careful if you are lactose intolerant. Ricotta can contain up to 3% lactose, which is still a small amount, but can cause problems for those who are intolerant, especially if other foods containing lactose have already been eaten during the day. The amount of lactose that can be ingested without problems even by an intolerant person is, according to research, 12 grams (Misselwitz et al, Gut, 2019). Finally, like all dairy products, ricotta too cannot be taken together with some drugs, such as tetracyclines and ciprofloxacin.
Ricotta, from popular wisdom a thousand uses remedyRicotta is not only an excellent food to bring to the table, nutritious and anti-inflammatory. In fact, ricotta is also a precious remedy of popular tradition, used to make poultices. Ricotta comes in handy in case of bruises, sore throat, hoarseness, sinusitis, hallux valgus, varicose veins, carpal tunnel, insect bites, catarrh, tachycardia, scars, swelling and pain in the joints. Ricotta, in fact, acts as a detoxifier, antispasmodic, calming, mucolytic and anti-inflammatory. Get some pure ricotta, without added milk, cream or mascarpone. Leave it out of the refrigerator for half an hour, so that it reaches room temperature. Add a little warm water and mix to obtain a spreadable cream. Spread a layer of about 1 centimeter of ricotta on gauze or a cotton cloth, the size you need based on the part to be treated. Apply on the affected part in order to keep the ricotta in contact with the skin. Cover with newspaper, to absorb moisture, and complete with another cotton cloth and finally a woolen cloth. The compress must adhere to the body, leave it on for 6-7 hours, then rinse.
