Provolone vs. Muenster cheese — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

Introduction

This article compares provolone cheese and muenster cheese. Our main comparison focus will be due to some general differences, nutritional content, and health impacts.

What's The Actual Difference?

Both provolone and muenster cheeses are smooth and commonly used, including. However, they have several differences that set them apart.

Provolone is Italian cheese. Muenster can be thought of as American cheese. Provolone is an aged pasta filata cheese that originated near Vesuvius in Casilli. It is still manufactured in cone, pear, and sausage shapes ranging from 4 to 6 inches.

Provolone has a light color and a slightly grainy texture.

On the other hand, muenster is a softer cheese with a pale color, but the rind is typically orange. It's soft and moist.

Nutrition

At the bottom of this page, you can find a nutrition infographic to help you better understand the differences in the nutrition of provolone and muenster.

Vitamins

Their vitamin profiles is nearly similar however, provolone is richer in vitamin B5 whereas, muenster is richer in vitamin D and Vitamin A. 

Muenster cheese falls in the range of the top 19% of foods as a Vitamin A source.

Both cheese types contain equal levels of Vitamin B2 and Vitamin B12.

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.

Provolone

4

100 g 300 g 1 cubic inch - 17g1 oz - 28.35g1 cup, diced - 132g

Muenster cheese

5

100 g 300 g 1 cubic inch - 18g1 oz - 28.35g1 cup, shredded - 113g1 cup, diced - 132g

Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1	+46.2%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3	+51.5%
Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5	+150.5%
Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6	+30.4%

Contains more Vitamin AVitamin A	+26.3%
Contains more Vitamin EVitamin E	+13%
Contains more Vitamin DVitamin D	+20%
Contains more Vitamin KVitamin K	+13.6%
Contains more FolateFolate	+20%

~equal in Vitamin C ~0mg

~equal in Vitamin B2 ~0.32mg

~equal in Vitamin B12 ~1.47µg

~equal in Choline ~15.4mg

Minerals

Provolone is richer in phosphorus, zinc, and calcium. However, provolone is higher in sodium.

Both fall in the range of the top 5% foods as calcium sources.

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.

Provolone

3

100 g 300 g 1 cubic inch - 17g1 oz - 28.35g1 cup, diced - 132g

Muenster cheese

2

100 g 300 g 1 cubic inch - 18g1 oz - 28.35g1 cup, shredded - 113g1 cup, diced - 132g

Contains more IronIron	+26.8%
Contains more ZincZinc	+14.9%
Contains more ManganeseManganese	+25%

Contains more CopperCopper	+19.2%
Contains less SodiumSodium	-28.3%

~equal in Magnesium ~27mg

~equal in Calcium ~717mg

~equal in Potassium ~134mg

~equal in Phosphorus ~468mg

~equal in Selenium ~14.5µg

Health Impact

Both cheese types are rich in calcium, which may reduce insulin resistance in dairy products. One study found that eating dairy products may reduce the risk of insulin resistance by 21% (1).

Downsides and Risks

Provolone and Muenster cheeses are high in fats, specifically saturated fats, which increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by raising blood lipid levels.

Furthermore, provolone cheese contains more sodium than muenster cheese, increasing the risk of hypertension and its complications (2).

References

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11966382/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5577766/