By Chimp & Chilli

The Gut-Loving Side of Cheese

Cheese isn’t just comfort food — it can actually be good for your gut. The live cultures, natural fermentation, and raw milk used in many traditional cheeses can help nourish the microbiome and make digestion easier.

Here are three truly special cheeses that stand out for their flavour and their gut-health benefits — all available from artisan makers who put quality before quantity.

Montgomery’s Cheddar (Somerset)

Type: Raw milk, clothbound, aged Cheddar
Gut health rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is everything a real Cheddar should be — nutty, complex, and bursting with character. Unlike mass-produced versions, Montgomery’s is made with unpasteurised milk, preserving the natural lactic acid bacteria that support healthy gut flora.

The cheese is clothbound and aged for up to 18 months, developing a living rind where beneficial microflora thrive. It’s also virtually lactose-free, making it easier to digest for many people.

In short: A familiar favourite that’s also microbiome-friendly.

Brie de Meaux (Île-de-France)

Type: Soft, bloomy rind, raw cow’s milk
Gut health rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Think of this as the original, authentic brie — creamy, rich, and alive with natural cultures. The raw milk and Penicillium candidum mould used in its rind provide beneficial bacteria and enzymes that can aid digestion and support a balanced gut microbiome.

It’s indulgent yet surprisingly wholesome, offering both flavour complexity and digestive benefits in one glorious wedge.

In short: A probiotic powerhouse wrapped in luxury.

Innes Log (Staffordshire)

Type: Raw goat’s milk, soft, lactic-set cheese
Gut health rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Made with raw goat’s milk, Innes Log is gentle on digestion thanks to naturally lower lactose levels and the easier-to-digest A2 casein protein found in goat’s milk.

Because it’s unpasteurised, the cheese retains a rich population of live cultures and enzymes that can promote a healthy gut microbiome. The flavour is fresh, tangy, and slightly earthy — elegant yet comforting.

In short: A gut-friendly gem that’s as kind on the palate as it is on the stomach.

Why These Cheeses Are Good for You

Raw milk: Keeps beneficial bacteria and enzymes intact
Fermentation: Encourages natural probiotics and boosts digestibility
Aging: Reduces lactose, making them easier to tolerate
Live rinds: Contain diverse microbial life that supports gut balance

Final Thoughts

Not all cheeses are created equal — the way they’re made matters. Traditional, raw-milk and naturally ripened cheeses like Montgomery’s Cheddar, Brie de Meaux and Innes Log don’t just taste incredible; they can actually help support a happier, healthier gut.

So next time you’re choosing something special for your cheeseboard, you can indulge and feel good about it — your taste buds and your microbiome will thank you.

Is Cheese Good for Your Gut? Three Artisan Cheeses That Really Are