Health Concerns With Eggs (2024)

About 60% of the calories in eggs are from fat—much of which is saturated fat. Eggs are also loaded with cholesterol—about 200 milligrams for an average-sized egg. That’s more than double the amount in a Big Mac. Fat and cholesterol contribute to heart disease.

Eating eggs increases the risk of dying from heart disease, according to research published inCirculation. Researchers compared egg and cholesterol consumption and blood cholesterol levels with death from cardiovascular disease in over 27,000 participants and conducted a systematic review of existing research. Eating one egg per day significantly increased the risk of dying from heart disease. Higher blood cholesterol levels and higher intakes of dietary cholesterol were also associated with an elevated risk of death from heart disease. These findings support limiting dietary cholesterol intake for improved heart health.

A 2021 study found that the addition of half an egg per day was associated with more deaths from heart disease, cancer, and all causes. For every 300 milligrams of dietary cholesterol consumed per day, mortality risk increased by up to 24%. A study published in JAMA found that that each 300 milligram dose of dietary cholesterol was associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and mortality by 17% and 18%, respectively. When it came to eggs, each half egg caused a 6% and 8% increased risk, respectively.Astudyin theCanadian Journal of Cardiologyfound that those who eat the most eggs have a 19% higher risk for cardiovascular problems.

Industry-funded research has downplayed the effects of egg consumption on cholesterol levels. A Physicians Committee review published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine examined all research studies published from 1950 to March 2019 that evaluated the effect of eggs on blood cholesterol levels and examined funding sources and their influence on study findings. Research published prior to 1970 showed no industry influence on cholesterol research. The percentage of industry-funded studies increased over time, from 0% in the 1950s to 60% in 2010-2019. More than 85% of the research studies, regardless of funding sources, showed that eggs have unfavorable effects on blood cholesterol. But 49% of industry-funded publications reported conclusions that conflicted with actual study results, compared with 13% of non-industry-funded trials.

Health Concerns With Eggs (2024)

FAQs

Health Concerns With Eggs? ›

In studies including the Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study, heart disease risk was increased among men and women with diabetes who ate one or more eggs a day. [2,4] For people who have diabetes and heart disease, it may be best to limit egg consumption to no more than three yolks per week.

What is the major health concern regarding eggs? ›

Eggs are also loaded with cholesterol—about 200 milligrams for an average-sized egg. That's more than double the amount in a Big Mac. Fat and cholesterol contribute to heart 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 is the side effect of eating eggs every day? ›

Daily consumption of eggs can result in an increase in good cholesterol as well as bad cholesterol, which can predispose an individual towards the risk of cardiac disorders. Consuming eggs in excess can result in weight gain due to the high amount of saturated fats.

What does the American Heart Association say about eating eggs? ›

Eggs can be included as part of a heart-healthy diet. Enjoy 1-2 eggs a day as a high-quality protein.

Is it healthy to eat eggs every day? ›

Most healthy adults can eat 1-2 eggs per day or up to seven eggs per week. Eggs are a great source of protein and are packed with vitamins and minerals.

Are eggs inflammatory? ›

According to a 2020 review, eggs contain substances such as trimethylamine-N-oxide, omega-6 fatty acids, and arachidonic acid, which can promote inflammation. However, a 2019 study on adults found no connection between egg consumption and inflammatory biomarkers in the blood.

What age should one stop eating egg? ›

But they have lots of protein and are the easiest way to consume protein other than eating protein bars (which honestly isn't that much protein because there could be chocolate or sugar in them too). But at any age you can stop eating eggs, it's all up to you.

Is 40 eggs a week too much? ›

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.

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.

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 eggs good for the liver? ›

Eggs. These are some of the healthiest foods found in nature. Eggs are rich in all the eight essential amino acids and choline, which is also a vital nutrient. The amino acids and choline help the liver in the detoxification process and improve the metabolism rate.

How bad are eggs for 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.

What do cardiologists say about eggs? ›

Eggs are fine, but limit the total amount to one per day, averaged over a week, without going into extreme excess in one day.” In this article, Dr. Natarajan shares more about the latest research on eggs and cholesterol and how to incorporate eggs into a heart-healthy diet.

What do doctors say about eating eggs? ›

The American Heart Association suggests that one egg (or two egg whites) a day is part of a healthy diet. If you have cardiovascular disease or high cholesterol, you should limit the amount of eggs you eat per week to about three or four.

Does the FDA say eggs are healthy? ›

In the fall of 2022, after many decades of contention, the FDA officially proposed a revision to requirements allowing certain foods and products to be labeled healthy. The most exciting change? The FDA now officially agrees: eggs are healthy.

What is the health hazard of egg? ›

There can be health risks if eggs are not handled, stored and prepared safely. Some eggs may be contaminated with bacteria, which can cause serious food poisoning (diarrhoea and vomiting).

What is the problem concerning egg production? ›

Egg production can be affected by such factors as feed consumption (quality and quantity), water intake, intensity and duration of light received, parasite infestation, disease, and numerous management and environmental factors.

What illness is associated with eggs? ›

Fresh eggs, even those with clean, uncracked shells, may contain bacteria called Salmonella that can cause foodborne illness, often called “food poisoning.” FDA has put regulations in place to help prevent contamination of eggs on the farm and during shipping and storage, but consumers also play a key role in ...

Why are people worried about eggs? ›

Eggs have long been a source of concern in diets due to their high levels of cholesterol and potential effects on cardiovascular health, and historically dietary guidelines have recommended restricting the number of eggs eaten on a daily basis.

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