Health Benefits of Eggs (2024)

Health Benefits of Eggs (2)
Medically Reviewed by Mahammad Juber,MD on June 26, 2022

Written by Paul Frysh

Health Benefits of Eggs (3)

They Offer Complete Protein

1/11

One egg has 6 grams of the stuff, with all nine “essential” amino acids, the building blocks of protein. That’s important because those are the ones your body can’t make by itself. The egg white holds about half that protein and only a small portion of the fat and cholesterol.

Health Benefits of Eggs (4)

They're Nutrient Dense

2/11

That means eggs have more nutrients -- vitamins, minerals, amino acids -- per calorie than most other foods. Have an egg and you'll get:

  • High-quality protein
  • Selenium
  • Phosphorus
  • Choline
  • Vitamin B12
  • Multiple antioxidants, which help keep your cells healthy
Health Benefits of Eggs (5)

They Help Your 'Good' Cholesterol

3/11

This “good” cholesterol, called HDL, seems to go up in people who have three or more eggs a day. Of course, LDL, the “bad” type, goes up, too. But the individual pieces of each get bigger. That makes it harder for the bad stuff to hurt you and easier for the good stuff to clear it away.

They Can Lower Your Triglycerides

4/11

Your doctor tests you for these along with HDL and LDL. Lower triglycerides are better for your health. Eating eggs, especially those enriched with certain fatty acids (like omega-3s), seems to bring down your levels.

Health Benefits of Eggs (7)

They Can Lower Your Odds of a Stroke

5/11

Though studies vary, it appears that a daily egg might lower your risk. In a recent Chinese study, people who had about one a day were almost 30% less likely to die from hemorrhagic stroke than those who had none.

Health Benefits of Eggs (8)

They Help With Portion Control

6/11

At about 70 calories per egg, you know exactly what you are getting. And they travel easy, too. Hard boil a couple and stick ‘em in your cooler. Add a salad or a couple of slices of bread and you’ve got a quick, healthy lunch.

Health Benefits of Eggs (9)

They're Affordable

7/11

At 20 cents a serving, you can’t beat it for a high-quality protein that won’t break the bank. Add a slice of whole-grain toast, some avocado, and a little hot sauce, and you have a meal fit for a king at a pauper’s price. And you don’t have to worry about sugar or carbs because eggs don’t have either.

Health Benefits of Eggs (10)

They’re Heart Healthy

8/11

Surprised? It’s true. Overall, people who eat more of them don’t seem to raise their chances of heart disease. Even people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes were just as heart healthy after a high-egg diet designed for weight loss. In a recent Chinese study, people who ate about an egg a day were almost 20% lesslikely than non-egg eaters to develop heart disease.

Health Benefits of Eggs (11)

They Satisfy

9/11

Have them for breakfast and you’ll feel full longer. That'll make you more likely to eat less throughout the day. For example, on average, teens who eat an egg in the morning have 130 fewer calories at lunch.

Health Benefits of Eggs (12)

They Help Your Eyes

10/11

Doctors know that the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin help keep you from getting eye diseases like cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Green, leafy vegetables like spinach and kale have them, too. But eggs are a better source. That's because the fat they have makes it easier for your body to use the nutrients.

Health Benefits of Eggs (13)

They Help Sharpen the Brain

11/11

Eggs have vitamin D, which is good for your gray matter and hard to get from food. And they have something called choline that helps the nerve cells (neurons) in your noggin talk to each other. Choline is also a very important for pregnant women and breastfeeding women because of the big role it plays in brain development.

Health Benefits of Eggs (2024)

FAQs

Is it healthy 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.

What are 5 benefits of eating eggs? ›

Health Benefits of Eggs
  • They Offer Complete Protein. 1/11. ...
  • They're Nutrient Dense. 2/11. ...
  • They Help Your 'Good' Cholesterol. 3/11. ...
  • They Can Lower Your Triglycerides. 4/11. ...
  • They Can Lower Your Odds of a Stroke. 5/11. ...
  • They Help With Portion Control. 6/11. ...
  • They're Affordable. 7/11. ...
  • They're Heart Healthy. 8/11.
Jun 26, 2022

What do eggs do to your body? ›

“Eggs are a good source of protein (both whites/yolk). They also contain heart-healthy unsaturated fats and are a great source of important nutrients, such as vitamin B6, B12 and vitamin D,” says Kurt Hong, MD, an internal medicine specialist at Keck Medicine of USC.

Are eggs a superfood? ›

Eggs are exceptionally nutritious, weight-loss friendly and high in antioxidants. If you need any more reasons to eat eggs, they are also cheap, go with almost any food and taste great. If any food deserves to be called a superfood, it's eggs.

What is the healthiest way to eat eggs? ›

Overall, shorter and lower-heat cooking methods cause less cholesterol oxidation and help retain most of the egg's nutrients. For this reason, poached and boiled (either hard or soft) eggs may be the healthiest to eat. These cooking methods also don't add any unnecessary calories.

Is 2 eggs a day too much 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.

Is 3 eggs a day too much? ›

Eating one to three eggs per day can have several health benefits, but this varies from person to person. At this level of consumption, people can expect minimal changes in their cholesterol levels. It is unclear whether there is an upper limit on how many eggs a person can eat per day.

Can I eat four eggs a day? ›

The Heart Foundation currently sets no limit for healthy people when it comes to how many eggs you can eat per day. The key is enjoying them, as part of a healthy and balanced diet.

Are scrambled eggs healthy? ›

In and of themselves, scrambled eggs are a healthy dish. Eggs are high in protein as well as B vitamins and vitamin D; eggs also contain heart-healthy unsaturated fats. However, when butter, cream, cream cheese, or shredded cheese are added, the calories, cholesterol, and fat content increase.

When not to eat eggs? ›

Try the float test

Gently drop one egg into the glass, and observe where it settles. If the egg sinks to the bottom and lays on its side, it should be fresh and ready to eat. If it floats all the way to the top, the egg may be spoiled. Either avoid the risk and toss it in the garbage, or follow the following steps.

Is peanut butter good for you? ›

Peanut butter packs many health-promoting nutrients that benefit heart health, blood sugar, and weight management. The nut butter might help you get a good night's rest and help you feel full longer. Peanut butter can be a good companion to apples, bananas, chocolate, or simply eaten by the spoonful.

What do eggs do to your stomach? ›

Due to their sulphur content, eggs can contribute to intestinal gas for some individuals, but they are beneficial for other digestive symptoms. When experiencing acute diarrhea, eggs are a more tolerable protein option than beans, nuts, or fried meat.

What food is healthier than eggs? ›

Foods With More Protein Than an Egg
  • Chickpeas. 1/10. With about 6 grams of protein apiece, eggs are an excellent source of this vital nutrient. ...
  • Cottage Cheese. 2/10. ...
  • Almond Butter. 3/10. ...
  • Cheddar Cheese. 4/10. ...
  • Lentils. 5/10. ...
  • Pumpkin Seeds. 6/10. ...
  • Shrimp. 7/10. ...
  • Quinoa. 8/10.
Apr 24, 2022

Are eggs inflammatory or anti inflammatory? ›

Functional foods such as eggs contain a variety of essential nutrients and vital components including egg proteins, phospholipids, lutein and zeaxanthin that curb inflammation. The vitamin D present in the eggs modulates the inflammatory response in rheumatoid arthritis.

Are eggs good for your liver? ›

Conclusion: Eating 5-7 eggs/week may have the lowest risk of NAFLD, suggesting taking a moderate amount of eggs to prevent NAFLD, even if the overall diet quality is relatively healthy.

How many eggs are too many in a day? ›

The Heart Foundation currently sets no limit for healthy people when it comes to how many eggs you can eat per day. The key is enjoying them, as part of a healthy and balanced diet.

Can I eat 6 eggs a day? ›

Six eggs a day is a hell of a lot, no matter how you cut it. An egg has 187 mg of cholesterol, and the recommended limit is 300 mg per day—or only 200 mg if you have diabetes or risk factors for heart disease. “You can definitely go with with one egg a day,” says Maxine Smith, R.D., L.D.

How many eggs to eat per day for weight loss? ›

It's important to note that, whilst overall eggs can provide great health benefits, studies show that consuming up to a maximum of 3 eggs a day favoured well-balanced cholesterol levels, and 2 eggs a day favoured weight-loss in overweight individuals.

Can I eat eggs and avocados every day? ›

However, this mix should be eaten in moderation. "The ideal way not to risk exaggerating with fat and calories is to bring to the table half avocado combined with two eggs, preferably hard-boiled, no more than a couple of times a week," says the expert, who here shares 5 good reasons to choose this meal combination.

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