Eggs: Are they good or bad for my cholesterol? (2024)

Are chicken eggs good or bad for my cholesterol?

Answer From Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D.

Chicken eggs are an affordable source of protein and other nutrients. They're also naturally high in cholesterol. But the cholesterol in eggs doesn't seem to raise cholesterol levels the way some other foods, such as those high in trans fats and saturated fats, do.

Although some studies have found a link between eating eggs and heart disease, there could be other reasons for these findings. The foods people typically eat with eggs, such as bacon, sausage and ham, might do more to boost heart disease risk than eggs do. Plus, the way eggs and other foods are cooked — especially if fried in oil or butter — might play more of a role in the increased risk of heart disease than eggs themselves do.

Most healthy people can eat up to seven eggs a week without increasing their risk of heart disease. Some studies have shown that this level of egg consumption might even help prevent certain types of stroke and a serious eye condition called macular degeneration that can lead to blindness.

But if you have diabetes, some research suggests that eating seven eggs a week increases heart disease risk. However, other research failed to find the same connection. Still other research suggests that eating eggs might increase the risk of developing diabetes in the first place. More research is needed to figure out the link between eggs, diabetes and heart disease.

Health experts now suggest eating as little dietary cholesterol as you can, aiming to keep intake under 300 milligrams (mg) a day. One large egg has about 186 mg of cholesterol — all of which is found in the yolk. If your diet contains little other cholesterol, according to some studies, eating up to an egg a day might be an OK choice.

If you like eggs but don't want the cholesterol, use only the egg whites. Egg whites contain no cholesterol but still contain protein. You can also use cholesterol-free egg substitutes, which are made with egg whites.

With

Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D.

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  1. Xia PF, et al. Dietary intakes of eggs and cholesterol in relation to all-cause and heart disease mortality: A prospective cohort study. Journal of the American Heart Association. 2020; doi:10.1161/JAHA.119.015743.
  2. 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines. Accessed Nov. 4, 2021.
  3. Are eggs good for you or not? American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2018/08/15/are-eggs-good-for-you-or-not. Accessed Oct. 30, 2021.
  4. Spence JD, et al. Cardiovascular harm from egg yolk and meat: More than just cholesterol and saturated fat. Journal of the American Heart Association. 2021; doi:10.1161/JAHA.120.017066.
  5. Blesso CN, et al. Dietary cholesterol, serum lipid, and heart disease: Are eggs working for or against you? Nutrients. 2018; doi:10.3390/nu10040426.
  6. Zhuang P, et al. Egg and cholesterol consumption and mortality from cardiovascular and different causes in the United States: A population-based cohort study. 2021; doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1003508.

See more Expert Answers

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Eggs: Are they good or bad for my cholesterol? (2024)

FAQs

Eggs: Are they good or bad for my cholesterol? ›

One large egg has about 186 mg of cholesterol — all of which is found in the yolk. If your diet contains little other cholesterol, according to some studies, eating up to an egg a day might be an OK choice. If you like eggs but don't want the cholesterol, use only the egg whites.

How bad are eggs for cholesterol? ›

For many people, adding (or subtracting) eggs from their diet can be a complicated decision, due to past cholesterol recommendations. Current research shows that egg consumption has a mild increase in LDL and HDL cholesterol levels and some portion of the population is more impacted than others.

What is the latest research on eggs and cholesterol? ›

A recent study found that consuming fortified eggs does not significantly impact cholesterol among individuals at risk for cardiovascular disease.

How many eggs a week should a senior eat? ›

How Many Eggs Can Older People Eat? There is no limit to the number of eggs older people can eat, with the exception of those with type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol or any existing heart disease who can enjoy up to 7 eggs a week.

What are three best foods for lowering cholesterol? ›

Cholesterol-lowering foods
  • Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods. Foods high in soluble fiber help reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. ...
  • Fish and omega-3 fatty acids. ...
  • Walnuts, almonds and other nuts. ...
  • Olive oil. ...
  • Foods with added plant sterols and stanols.

Is peanut butter bad for cholesterol? ›

Due to its high amount of unsaturated fats, peanut butter may help reduce a person's LDL cholesterol levels. Having optimal LDL levels is linked with a lower risk of heart disease. A 2015 study found that people who had a high intake of nuts may have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease mortality.

What is the healthiest way to eat eggs? ›

If you're trying to cut back on calories, choose poached or boiled eggs. These cooking methods don't add any extra fat calories, so the meal will be lower in calories than fried or scrambled eggs or an omelet.

Is it okay to eat a dozen eggs a day? ›

There is no specific number of eggs that a person should eat as part of a healthy diet. There may be some health benefits to eating a certain number of eggs, but more research into how many eggs a person should eat per day is necessary.

Do eggs raise triglycerides? ›

Last, in a meta-analysis of 28 RCTs, egg consumption increased total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and HDL-c levels but not the LDL-c/HDL-c ratio, TC:HDL-c ratio or triglyceride (TG) levels compared with low egg consumption diets (8).

Are bananas good for elderly? ›

Seniors often experience gastrointestinal problems, including constipation and diarrhea. Bananas may be beneficial for both of these issues. For example, bananas are often recommended for people with diarrhea, as they're a component in the BRAT diet, which includes bananas, rice, applesauce, and tea.

How many glasses of water should an elderly person drink a day? ›

You should aim for 6 to 8 glasses of fluid a day. Here are some simple tips for making sure you reach your goal and get enough water. Sip on drinks throughout the day. Get a reusable water bottle with a straw and fill it with plain water.

Are eggs good for people over 70? ›

Conclusion. Due to the variety of nutrients found in eggs, they are an ideal food to include in the diets of older adults.

What is the golden drink that lowers cholesterol? ›

Golden milk, also known as turmeric milk, is a common Indian drink that has recently been gaining popularity in western cultures due to many health claims. It's beautiful bright yellow color is a result of adding turmeric, along with spices such as cinnamon and ginger, to milk.

What is the best morning drink for cholesterol? ›

Best drinks to improve cholesterol
  1. Green tea. Green tea contains catechins and other antioxidant compounds that seem to help lower LDL and total cholesterol levels. ...
  2. Soy drinks. Soy is low in saturated fat. ...
  3. Oat drinks. ...
  4. Tomato juice. ...
  5. Berry smoothies. ...
  6. Drinks containing sterols and stanols. ...
  7. Cocoa drinks. ...
  8. Plant milk smoothies.
Oct 27, 2023

What can I drink to flush out my cholesterol? ›

Cholesterol is often high due to excessive saturated and trans fat consumption. There are certain drinks that can help maintain an ideal cholesterol level. Some of the best drinks for cholesterol management include green tea, pomegranate juice, citrus juice, soy milk, plant-based smoothies, and red wine.

Is a dozen eggs a week bad for you? ›

In the study, after following participants for four months, researchers did not see any adverse effects on cardiovascular health among people who ate 12 fortified eggs per week. For example, blood cholesterol levels were similar between people who regularly ate fortified eggs and those who ate few or no eggs.

Is it okay to eat eggs every day? ›

Eggs are also a great source of heart-healthy nutrients like potassium, folate and B vitamins. Some research suggests that up to two eggs per day actually improves heart health. As with anything, moderation is important, especially if you enjoy eggs daily.

How to reduce cholesterol in 7 days? ›

Simple swaps. There are plenty of swaps you can make to help improve your cholesterol. To eat more heart-healthy foods, try swapping from butter to olive oil, potato chips to plain nuts, white bread to whole grain bread or choosing reduced-fat dairy products instead of full-fat versions.

Is avocado high in bad cholesterol? ›

Unsaturated fats, the type found in avocados, are considered healthy types of fat. And avocados have no cholesterol whatsoever. Both polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats can help lower blood cholesterol levels, making avocados a heart-healthy food. But the cholesterol benefits of avocados extend even beyond this.

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