Why Are Eggs Good for You? An Egg-Ceptional Superfood (2024)

Many healthy foods have been unfairly demonized in the past, including coconut oil, cheese and unprocessed meat.

But among the worst examples are the false claims about eggs, which are one of the healthiest foods on the planet.

Eggs do not cause heart disease

Historically, eggs have been considered unhealthy because they contain cholesterol.

A large egg contains 207 mg of cholesterol, which is a lot compared to most other foods (1).

However, many studies have shown that the dietary cholesterol in eggs does not adversely affect cholesterol levels in the blood.

In fact, eggs raise your “good” HDL cholesterol and change your “bad” LDL cholesterol from small and dense to large, which is benign (2, 3, 4).

One analysis of 23 studies on egg consumption and health discovered that consumption of 2 or more eggs a day was not associated with increased cardiovascular risk compared to one or no eggs. In fact, higher egg consumption was associated with a decreased risk of coronary artery disease (5).

What’s more, multiple other studies have led to the same conclusion (6, 7).

Summary

Despite incorrect assumptions about eggs in the past, eating them has no association with heart disease.

Eggs are rich in unique antioxidants

Eggs are particularly rich in the two antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin (8).

These antioxidants gather in the retina of the eye where they protect against harmful sunlight and reduce the risk of eye diseases like macular degeneration and cataracts (9, 10, 11).

In one study, supplementing with an average of 1.3 egg yolks per day for 4.5 weeks increased blood levels of lutein by 28–50% and zeaxanthin by 114–142% (12).

If you want to learn about other foods that are good for your eye health, check out this article.

Summary

Eggs contain large amounts of the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, both of which dramatically lower your risk of age-related eye disorders.

Eggs are among the most nutritious foods on the planet

Just think about it, one egg contains all the nutrients and building blocks required to grow a baby chicken.

Eggs are loaded with high-quality proteins, vitamins, minerals, good fats and various trace nutrients.

A large egg contains (1):

  • Only 74 calories, with 5 grams of fat and 6 grams of protein with all 9 essential amino acids.
  • Rich in iron, phosphorus, selenium and vitamins A, B12, B2 and B5 (among others).
  • About 169 mg of choline, a very important nutrient for the brain.

If you decide to include eggs in your diet, make sure to eat omega-3-enriched or pastured eggs. They are much more nutritious.

Make sure to eat the yolks, since they contain pretty much all the nutrients.

Summary

Eggs contain all 9 essential amino acids, are highly concentrated with vitamins and minerals and are among the best sources of choline you can get. Omega-3-enriched or pastured eggs are the best.

Eggs are filling and help you lose weight

Eggs score high on a scale called the satiety index, which means that eggs are particularly good at making you feel full and eat fewer overall calories (6).

Also, they only contain trace amounts of carbohydrates, which means they will not raise your blood glucose levels.

In a study in 30 overweight or obese women that ate either a bagel or eggs for breakfast, the egg group ended up eating less during lunch, the rest of the day and for the next 36 hours (13).

In another study, overweight adults were calorie-restricted and given either two eggs (340 calories) or bagels for breakfast (14).

After eight weeks, the egg-eating group experienced the following:

  • 61% greater reduction in BMI
  • 65% more weight loss
  • 34% greater reduction in waist circumference
  • 16% greater reduction in body fat

This difference was significant even though both breakfasts contained the same number of calories.

Put simply, eating eggs is an excellent weight loss strategy on a reduced-calorie diet.

Summary

Eggs are a nutritious, protein-rich food with a strong impact on satiety. Studies show that eating eggs for breakfast can help you lose weight.

An egg-ceptional 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.

Why Are Eggs Good for You? An Egg-Ceptional Superfood (2024)

FAQs

Why Are Eggs Good for You? An Egg-Ceptional Superfood? ›

Eggs are loaded with high-quality proteins, vitamins, minerals, good fats and various trace nutrients. A large egg contains ( 1 ): Only 74 calories, with 5 grams of fat and 6 grams of protein with all 9 essential amino acids. Rich in iron, phosphorus, selenium and vitamins A, B12, B2 and B5 (among others).

Why are eggs considered a superfood? ›

Eggs are a superfood rich in nutrients that can provide many health benefits including improved muscle growth and repair and weight management. They also have immune system support and enhanced brain function. They are also good for your heart and bone health.

Why are eggs healthy for you? ›

Hen's eggs (from Gallus gallus domesticus) provide choline, folate, vitamin D, iodine, B vitamins and high-quality protein and are no longer viewed by national bodies as a risk factor for hypercholesterolaemia and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Why are eggs so important in our life? ›

Eggs Provide Excellent Quality Protein

Eggs are widely considered to be a valuable source of quality protein. Proteins are the building blocks of life, essential for the strength and repair of muscle and tissue – with one single egg containing about 6.3 grams of protein.

Why is egg health important? ›

Several studies show that eating eggs lowers your risk of stroke and heart disease. While other studies have shown that eggs increase other health risks, it is important to remember that eating eggs is good for your diet as long as you maintain a healthy balance of nutrients.

What happens when you 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 the 7 main uses of eggs? ›

They can be used for clarifying, enriching, emulsifying, binding, glazing, thickening and aerating. Eggs are great staple ingredients and offer us so many options, both on their own and when incorporated into other ingredients.

How many eggs a day are safe? ›

For most healthy adults, it's safe to eat 1–2 eggs a day depending on how much other cholesterol is in your diet. If you already have high cholesterol or other risk factors for heart disease, it may be best to eat no more than 4–5 eggs per week.

What are 5 benefits of eggs? ›

Have an egg and you'll get:
  • High-quality protein.
  • Selenium.
  • Phosphorus.
  • Choline.
  • Vitamin B12.
  • Multiple antioxidants, which help keep your cells healthy.
Jun 26, 2022

What are the healthiest eggs to eat? ›

It is best to buy omega-3 enriched or pastured eggs, which are more nutritious and healthier. However, conventional supermarket eggs are still a good choice if you can't afford or access the others.

What do eggs do to the body? ›

Strong muscles: The protein in eggs helps maintain and repair body tissues, including muscle. Brain health: Eggs contain vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the brain and the nervous system to function effectively. Energy production: Eggs contain all the nutrients that the body needs to produce energy.

Why eat raw eggs instead of cooked? ›

Choline is an essential nutrient for healthy brain and heart health. So when using eggs in the daily menu can help promote brain health and cardiovascular system. Besides, raw eggs are also rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, which help protect our eyes.

Why are eggs special? ›

Eggs are among the most nutritious foods on the planet

Only 74 calories, with 5 grams of fat and 6 grams of protein with all 9 essential amino acids. Rich in iron, phosphorus, selenium and vitamins A, B12, B2 and B5 (among others). About 169 mg of choline, a very important nutrient for the brain.

What is the main purpose of eggs? ›

In cooking and baking there are five main functions of an egg. They bind, thicken, coat, serve as a leavening agent, and emulsify. Egg whites can be whipped to create an egg white foam.

Can you live on eggs alone? ›

The egg diet does not provide well-rounded nutrition or meet USDA dietary guidelines. It is not considered a healthy, long-term diet.

What are the healthy facts about eggs? ›

Along with milk, eggs contain the highest biological value (or gold standard) for protein. One egg has only about 77 calories, but 6 grams of high-quality protein, 5 grams of fat, and 1.6 grams of saturated fat, along with iron, vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids.

Why is egg considered as nature's complete food? ›

Eggs are one of the few foods considered to be a complete high-quality protein source, because they contain all 9 essential amino acids. 'Essential' means that the body cannot produce these amino acids on its own, which is why we need to include them in our diet.

What makes a food a superfood? ›

A superfood is defined as “a food (such as salmon, broccoli, or blueberries) that is rich in compounds (such as antioxidants, fiber, or fatty acids) considered beneficial to a person's health,” according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

Why are eggs considered nature's perfect food? ›

Unlike any other food source, an egg provides you with every single vitamin, mineral and nutrient that the human body requires. And guess which part of the egg most of these goodies reside? The yolk. Much maligned and often tossed out due to misinformation, the yolk of the egg is a treasure chest of nutrients.

Are eggs the healthiest food ever? ›

Whole Eggs Are Among the Most Nutritious Foods on Earth

In fact, the nutrients in there are enough to turn a single fertilized cell into an entire baby chicken. Eggs are loaded with vitamins, minerals, high-quality protein, good fats and various other lesser-known nutrients.

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