Eating 'aged cheeses' like brie could help you to live longer

In what could possibly be the best news of the century, a new study has discovered that eating certain types of cheese could make you live longer.

Researchers from the Texas A&M University claim that they have found a common link between aged cheeses and life expectancy - and that certain types of cheeses could help to prevent liver cancer.

The study, published in the journal Cancer Research, found that aged cheeses such as brie, parmesan and cheddar contained a compound called spermidine, which stops damaged liver cells from replicating.

The researchers observed spermidine treatment in mice over their entire lifespan, and found that the mice experienced a 25 per cent increase in life expectancy when a spermidine supplement was ingested on a daily basis.

Spermidine has previously been found to prevent liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, which is the most common type of liver cancer.

This is not the first time that cheese, which has typically been viewed as an 'unhealthy' treat, has surprised us with some unusual benefits.

Studies have found that tucking into a stinky stilton or a creamy camembert could protect your teeth from cavities, boost your mental wellbeing and lower the risk of heart disease.

If you’re not a fan of cheese, scientists say that eating mushrooms, corn, soya, legumes and whole grains could all help to boost the spermidine in your system.

They believe the link could prove helpful in future studies, but can’t yet confirm if the effect would be the same in humans.

But if the results are similar to those observed in rodents, it could extend our average life expectancy an impressive 100 years.

Finally, some good news for your cheese addiction.