Cotija cheese vs. Feta — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

Calories

Cotija cheese is higher in calories compared to feta. Cotija contains 1.4 times more calories than feta cheese. 366 calories for cotija cheese and 264 calories.

Protein

Cotija cheese is a richer source of protein compared to feta cheese. It is a good protein source, containing 20g per 100g. In comparison, feta cheese contains 14g of protein per 100g. The difference is very remarkable. 

Fats

Cotija is higher in fats. It contains 1.5 times more fats compared to feta. There are 30g of fats in cotija cheese compared to feta cheese which contains 21g. 

Cotija cheese is higher in saturated fats and monounsaturated fats. 

Below we can see their distributions.

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Carbs

They are low in carbs and have similar amounts of carbs.

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison

Cotija cheese

3

:

2

Feta

Contains more Protein +40.7%

Contains more Fats +41%

Contains more Other +54.4%

Contains more Water +45.3%

Equal in Carbs - 4.09

Cotija cheese

Protein: 20 g

Fats: 30 g

Carbs: 3.97 g

Water: 38 g

Other: 8.03 g

Feta

Protein: 14.21 g

Fats: 21.28 g

Carbs: 4.09 g

Water: 55.22 g

Other: 5.2 g

Contains more Protein +40.7%

Contains more Fats +41%

Contains more Other +54.4%

Contains more Water +45.3%

Equal in Carbs - 4.09

Minerals

Cotija cheese is richer in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, and selenium. In addition, it contains more sodium than feta. Feta is richer in iron compared to cotija cheese.

Here is the diagram of their mineral distributions

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.

Cotija cheese

7

:

3

Feta

Contains more Calcium +62.3%

Contains more Magnesium +100%

Contains more Phosphorus +116.3%

Contains more Potassium +101.6%

Contains more Zinc +34.4%

Contains more Copper +643.8%

Contains more Selenium +18%

Contains more Iron +∞%

Contains less Sodium -34.5%

Cotija cheese

Feta

Contains more Calcium +62.3%

Contains more Magnesium +100%

Contains more Phosphorus +116.3%

Contains more Potassium +101.6%

Contains more Zinc +34.4%

Contains more Copper +643.8%

Contains more Selenium +18%

Contains more Iron +∞%

Contains less Sodium -34.5%

Vitamins 

Both of these products are good sources of vitamins B2 and B12. In addition, Cotija cheese is richer in vitamin A. In comparison, feta cheese is richer in B1, B5, and B6. 

Here is the diagram of their vitamin distributions

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.

Cotija cheese

5

:

6

Feta

Contains more Vitamin A +105%

Contains more Vitamin E +38.9%

Contains more Vitamin D +25%

Contains more Vitamin B12 +33.7%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +431%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +73.7%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +769.3%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +765.3%

Contains more Folate +220%

Equal in Vitamin K - 1.8

Cotija cheese

Feta

Contains more Vitamin A +105%

Contains more Vitamin E +38.9%

Contains more Vitamin D +25%

Contains more Vitamin B12 +33.7%

Contains more Vitamin B1 +431%

Contains more Vitamin B2 +73.7%

Contains more Vitamin B3 +769.3%

Contains more Vitamin B6 +765.3%

Contains more Folate +220%

Equal in Vitamin K - 1.8

Health benefits of vitamins

As mentioned above, cotija cheese is a good source of vitamins B2, B12, and vitamin A, while feta cheese is rich in vitamins B1, B2, B5, and B6, B12. It may be possible to prevent deficiency of these vitamins by moderately consuming cotija cheese and feta.

Symptoms of cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) deficiency include megaloblastic anemia and progressive peripheral neuropathy (which frequently results in pain, numbness, and weakness, typically in the hands and feet; additionally, it may have an impact on many bodily processes like digestion, urine, and circulation).

Vitamin A is important for normal vision. However, it should be noted that if vitamin A is continuously ingested at a level greater than 15 mcg (The Recommended Dietary Allowance), toxicity develops; symptoms include excessive sweating, brittle nails, diarrhea, hypercalcemia, hepatotoxicity, vertigo, nausea, and vomiting.

Alcoholism is the most common cause of thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. Beri-beri (peripheral neuropathy, which can cause prickling or tingling in your hands or feet), confabulation (a patient creates false memories without intending to deceive), and psychosis can all be brought on by vitamin B1 deficiency.

The symptoms of riboflavin (vitamin B2) deficiency include cheilosis, stomatitis, and a magenta-colored tongue. This condition may result in corneal neovascularization, which is harmful for vision. In the USA, riboflavin deficiency is incredibly uncommon. The majority of riboflavin-deficient cases occur in poor nations in Asia and Africa. The three groups most likely to experience riboflavin insufficiency are older people, drinkers, and women who use birth control pills (1).

Isoniazid medication, a medicine used to treat tuberculosis, is the most frequent cause of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) deficiency. Sideroblastic anemia, convulsions, cheilosis, and stomatitis are signs of vitamin B6 insufficiency.

Cardiovascular health

Section reviewed by cardiologist Astghik Grigoryan

It is essential to mention that both cotija and feta cheese are high in sodium; however, cotija is significantly higher. Consumption of high amounts of sodium is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension. 

In addition, cotija cheese is higher in saturated fats, which poses a higher risk increase in atherosclerosis rates. Compared to feta cheese, cotija cheese has increased hypertension and atherosclerosis risks (2.3).

ACE protein raises blood pressure by various mechanisms. It should be noted, Cotija and Feta contain some peptides that inhibit ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme). The biopeptides found in cheese cause a decrease in both systolic and diastolic pressure by inhibiting the action of the ACE. ACE-inhibitor medications (Captopril, Lisinopril, etc.) also activate a similar mechanism (4.5). 

People taking MAO inhibitors (particularly antidepressants) may experience a hypertensive crisis when eating cheeses (including these cheeses) that contain tyramine (6).

Bone health

Consuming these foods may help maintain normal levels of calcium in the body.

1–2% of the weight of an adult human is calcium. The teeth and bones contain more than 99% of the calcium in the body. So, in addition to its obvious structural function, the skeleton also acts as a calcium store. Dietary calcium consumption significantly affects bone metabolism and bone health. One of the main reasons for decreased bone mass and osteoporosis is chronic calcium insufficiency brought on by insufficient ingestion or poor intestinal absorption (7).

During menopause, estrogen levels are significantly reduced, which accelerates bone loss since estrogen slows the natural breakdown of bones. Based on this, during this period it is very important to control the concentrations of calcium, and phosphorus in the body to prevent osteomalacia and osteoporosis (8).

In addition, your body absorbs calcium through vitamin D. However, vitamin D overdose may activate osteoclasts (a type of bone cell that destroys bone tissue), so if you have vitamin D deficiency, you must give an analysis for the regulation of its concentration and for preventing vitamin D overdose.

Digestive Health

Milk and dairy products like cheese (including cotija and feta) contain the natural sugar lactose. Lactose cannot be adequately digested in the small intestine by people who are lactose intolerant. Instead, it enters the colon (large intestine) undigested, resulting in the following typical symptoms: stomach distension, cramps, or pain; noisy bowel movements; excessive gas; diarrhea with rapid or watery bowel movements; and an unexpected urge to urinate.

The optimal treatment for lactose intolerance combines dietary changes to avoid foods containing lactose and supplementation to help with lactose digestion when eating foods containing lactose (9). 

Diabetes mellitus

According to this meta-analysis, there is a significant inverse relationship between dairy products, low-fat dairy products, cheese consumption, and the risk of type 2 diabetes (10).

Cancer

According to this study, among European Union countries, Greece has the lowest percentage of breast cancer mortality and the highest cheese consumption. This is the first evidence that cheese eating can help prevent breast cancer (11). This information is unknown for cotija cheese.

According to research, postmenopausal breast cancer risk might be reduced by consuming dairy products (12).