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Brie vs. Camembert — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

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Article author photo Elen Khachatrian by Elen Khachatrian | Last updated on October 27, 2022
Medically reviewed by Igor Bussel Article author photo Igor Bussel
Brie
vs
Camembert

Summary

Brie has more Vitamin B12, E, B1, and monounsaturated fat than camembert. It is also lower in sodium and sugars.

Camembert has more Vitamin A, Vitamin B3, potassium, and calcium. The amounts of cholesterol and saturated fat are also lower in camembert.

Introduction

In this article, you can find a detailed description of the differences between brie and camembert.

What's The Actual Difference?

Brie and camembert may look similar, be served in similar ways, and even be made from the same recipe, but subtle differences distinguish these two kinds of cheese. Both kinds of cheese are made from cow's milk and have soft, bloomy, edible rinds. They originated in northern France. Brie has a milder flavor with buttery, creamy notes, whereas camembert can have a more intense flavor with deeper earthy notes. Camembert and brie have similar textures, with camembert being denser and brie being runnier. Brie is frequently sold by the slice, a wedge of the giant wheel, whereas camembert is sold whole. The reason for this is because of size. A wheel of brie typically measures between 9 and 17 inches in diameter, whereas a camembert is only 5 inches across.

Nutrition

At the bottom of the page, you can find nutrition infographics that visually demonstrate the differences between these two foods.

Calories

Brie and camembert are high in calories. Brie contains 300 calories per 100g, whereas camembert contains 334 calories per 100g.

Fats

Both types of cheese have good amounts of fat. Brie contains 27.68g, whereas camembert provides 24.26g of fat per 100g.

Accordingly, both are also high in saturated fat. However, brie is higher in mono- and polyunsaturated fats.

Carbs

Both foods are low-carb foods. Brie contains 0.45g of carbs per 100g, and camembert contains 0.46g of carbs per 100g. All these carbs are net.

Cholesterol

Brie is higher in cholesterol than camembert. It has 100mg of cholesterol, while camembert contains 72mg.

Protein

Both foods have equal amounts of protein. Brie has 20.75g of protein, and camembert contains 19.8g of protein per 100g. Both fall in the range of the top 23% of foods as protein sources.

Vitamins

The vitamin content of brie is richer than that of camembert.

Brie contains more Vitamin E, Vitamin D, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin K.

On the other hand, camembert contains more Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, and Vitamin A.

Brie and camembert are equal in Vitamin B2, B6, and folate.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
Brie
8
:
Contains more Vitamin E +14.3%
Contains more Vitamin D +25%
Contains more Vitamin B1 +150%
Contains more Vitamin B12 +26.9%
Contains more Vitamin K +15%
Contains more Vitamin A +38.5%
Contains more Vitamin B3 +65.8%
Contains more Vitamin B5 +97.7%
Equal in Vitamin B2 - 0.488
Equal in Vitamin B6 - 0.227
Equal in Folate - 62
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 36% 5% 15% 0% 18% 120% 8% 42% 55% 49% 207% 6%
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 50% 5% 12% 0% 7% 113% 12% 82% 53% 47% 163% 5%
Contains more Vitamin E +14.3%
Contains more Vitamin D +25%
Contains more Vitamin B1 +150%
Contains more Vitamin B12 +26.9%
Contains more Vitamin K +15%
Contains more Vitamin A +38.5%
Contains more Vitamin B3 +65.8%
Contains more Vitamin B5 +97.7%
Equal in Vitamin B2 - 0.488
Equal in Vitamin B6 - 0.227
Equal in Folate - 62

Minerals

Brie contains more iron and less sodium than camembert.

Camembert has more calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and copper than brie. Both have equal amounts of magnesium and zinc.

Important notes: both types of cheese are high in sodium, so it is better to consume them in moderation.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
Brie
2
:
Contains more Iron +51.5%
Contains less Sodium -25.3%
Contains more Calcium +110.9%
Contains more Phosphorus +84.6%
Contains more Potassium +23%
Contains more Copper +10.5%
Contains more Manganese +11.8%
Equal in Magnesium - 20
Equal in Zinc - 2.38
Equal in Selenium - 14.5
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium 56% 19% 15% 81% 14% 83% 65% 7% 5% 80%
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium 117% 13% 15% 149% 17% 110% 65% 7% 5% 80%
Contains more Iron +51.5%
Contains less Sodium -25.3%
Contains more Calcium +110.9%
Contains more Phosphorus +84.6%
Contains more Potassium +23%
Contains more Copper +10.5%
Contains more Manganese +11.8%
Equal in Magnesium - 20
Equal in Zinc - 2.38
Equal in Selenium - 14.5

Glycemic Index

Both types of cheese are considered low glycemic index food. The GI of brie and camembert is equal to 27.

Health Impact

Both types of cheese are high in riboflavin and Vitamin B12, essential for energy production. Its calcium content is essential for healthy bone growth, and its Vitamin A content promotes healthy skin and vision [1].

One study [2] shows that brie, camembert, and other ripened cheeses can slow the growth of leukemia cells.

Brie and camembert are high in fat; full-fat dairy consumption is linked to healthier body weight and does not appear to increase your risk of heart disease [3].

The Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium discovered that eating ripened cheese reduced blood sugar levels and fat tissue in obese/diabetic mice [4]. Besides, both cheese types have low glycemic indexes and tiny amounts of carbs, so their consumption will not raise blood glucose levels.

However, more human research is needed.

Side Effects

Camembert contains more sodium than brie. It contains 8% of the daily recommended sodium, which adds up quickly when combined with other salty foods. In salt-sensitive people, too much sodium can cause high blood pressure [5].

Article author photo Elen Khachatrian
Education: Nutrition & Microbiology at YSU
Last updated: October 27, 2022
Medically reviewed by Igor Bussel

Infographic

Brie vs Camembert infographic
Infographic link

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
Brie
2
:
Contains more Fats +14.1%
Contains more Other +36.3%
Equal in Protein - 19.8
Equal in Carbs - 0.46
Equal in Water - 51.8
21% 28% 48% 3%
Protein: 20.75 g
Fats: 27.68 g
Carbs: 0.45 g
Water: 48.42 g
Other: 2.7 g
20% 24% 52% 4%
Protein: 19.8 g
Fats: 24.26 g
Carbs: 0.46 g
Water: 51.8 g
Other: 3.68 g
Contains more Fats +14.1%
Contains more Other +36.3%
Equal in Protein - 19.8
Equal in Carbs - 0.46
Equal in Water - 51.8

Fat Type Comparison

Fat type breakdown side-by-side comparison
Brie
2
:
Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +14.1%
Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +14.1%
Contains less Saturated Fat -12.4%
66% 31% 3%
Saturated Fat: 17.41 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 8.013 g
Polyunsaturated fat: 0.826 g
66% 31% 3%
Saturated Fat: 15.259 g
Monounsaturated Fat: 7.023 g
Polyunsaturated fat: 0.724 g
Contains more Monounsaturated Fat +14.1%
Contains more Polyunsaturated fat +14.1%
Contains less Saturated Fat -12.4%

Comparison summary table

Pay attention to the rightmost column. It displays the amounts side by side, giving a clearer understanding of the difference.
Brie Camembert
Lower in Cholesterol ok
Lower in Saturated Fat ok
Lower in price ok
Rich in minerals ok
Lower in Sugar ok
Lower in Sodium ok
Lower in Glycemic Index ok
Rich in vitamins ok

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient Brie Camembert Opinion
Net carbs 0.45g 0.46g Camembert
Protein 20.75g 19.8g Brie
Fats 27.68g 24.26g Brie
Carbs 0.45g 0.46g Camembert
Calories 334kcal 300kcal Brie
Sugar 0.45g 0.46g Brie
Calcium 184mg 388mg Camembert
Iron 0.5mg 0.33mg Brie
Magnesium 20mg 20mg
Phosphorus 188mg 347mg Camembert
Potassium 152mg 187mg Camembert
Sodium 629mg 842mg Brie
Zinc 2.38mg 2.38mg
Copper 0.019mg 0.021mg Camembert
Manganese 0.034mg 0.038mg Camembert
Selenium 14.5µg 14.5µg
Vitamin A 592IU 820IU Camembert
Vitamin A RAE 174µg 241µg Camembert
Vitamin E 0.24mg 0.21mg Brie
Vitamin D 20IU 18IU Brie
Vitamin D 0.5µg 0.4µg Brie
Vitamin B1 0.07mg 0.028mg Brie
Vitamin B2 0.52mg 0.488mg Brie
Vitamin B3 0.38mg 0.63mg Camembert
Vitamin B5 0.69mg 1.364mg Camembert
Vitamin B6 0.235mg 0.227mg Brie
Folate 65µg 62µg Brie
Vitamin B12 1.65µg 1.3µg Brie
Vitamin K 2.3µg 2µg Brie
Tryptophan 0.322mg 0.307mg Brie
Threonine 0.751mg 0.717mg Brie
Isoleucine 1.015mg 0.968mg Brie
Leucine 1.929mg 1.84mg Brie
Lysine 1.851mg 1.766mg Brie
Methionine 0.592mg 0.565mg Brie
Phenylalanine 1.158mg 1.105mg Brie
Valine 1.34mg 1.279mg Brie
Histidine 0.716mg 0.683mg Brie
Cholesterol 100mg 72mg Camembert
Saturated Fat 17.41g 15.259g Camembert
Monounsaturated Fat 8.013g 7.023g Brie
Polyunsaturated fat 0.826g 0.724g Brie

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
Brie Camembert
Low Fats diet ok
Low Carbs diet ok
Low Calories diet ok
Low Glycemic Index diet ok

People also compare

Vitamins & Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

The summary scores indicate the extent to which this food can fulfill your daily vitamin and mineral requirements if you consume 3 servings, consisting of 100 grams of each (an approximation of 3 serving sizes).
Vitamins Daily Need Coverage Score
46%
Brie
45%
Camembert
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
42%
Brie
57%
Camembert

Comparison summary

Which food is lower in Cholesterol?
Camembert
Camembert is lower in Cholesterol (difference - 28mg)
Which food is lower in Saturated Fat?
Camembert
Camembert is lower in Saturated Fat (difference - 2.151g)
Which food is cheaper?
Camembert
Camembert is cheaper (difference - $1.2)
Which food is richer in minerals?
Camembert
Camembert is relatively richer in minerals
Which food is lower in Sugar?
Brie
Brie is lower in Sugar (difference - 0.01g)
Which food contains less Sodium?
Brie
Brie contains less Sodium (difference - 213mg)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
Brie
Brie is lower in glycemic index (difference - 27)
Which food is richer in vitamins?
Brie
Brie is relatively richer in vitamins

References

All the values for which the sources are not specified explicitly are taken from FDA’s Food Central. The exact link to the food presented on this page can be found below.

  1. Brie - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/172177/nutrients
  2. Camembert - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/172178/nutrients

All the Daily Values are presented for males aged 31-50, for 2000-calorie diets.

Data provided by FoodStruct.com should be considered and used as information only. Please consult your physician before beginning any diet.