The truth about eggs.
Are eggs good or bad for your health, and why do eggs get so much media attention?
Are eggs actually healthy for us?
How do you like your eggs in the morning? I like mine with some scientifically accurate headlines.
Eggs are a cheap, accessible source of protein and many key micronutrients. The egg white is a great source of complete protein, meaning it contains all the essential amino acids our body needs. The yolk contains vitamins and minerals so shouldn’t be left out.
Whilst they do contain saturated fat they are also rich in mono and polyunsaturated fat which are good for heart health and condition of our cell membranes.
Should I be worried about salmonella?
In the UK, the British Lion Scheme (spot the red lion stamp you’ll find on 90% of eggs sold) has been in place since 1998 and has drastically reduced the presence of salmonella in hen eggs. Unlike non-British Lion eggs, the FSA has approved these eggs as being considered even safe for pregnant women to eat raw or partially cooked.
The British Lion Scheme is one of the most successful food safety schemes in the UK. All eggs which have the red lion stamp have been produced under strict food safety conditions covering the entire supply chain. All hens are vaccinated to protect against Salmonella and a comprehensive traceability system includes the eggs, hens and feed.
Eggs provide a source of vitamin D, vitamin A, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B12 (cobalamin), selenium and iodine. There are also trace amounts of other B vitamins including folate, biotin and choline and phosphorus.
Over the years there have been countless headlines scaremongering over concerns that eggs are not good for us. At points there have even been restrictions on daily egg intake in dietary guidelines.
However, after years of better quality research and improved research methods, scientists have concluded that there should be no reason for concern on eating eggs every day.
Is there a link between eating eggs and risk of heart disease?
This particular concern comes from the idea that because eggs are a source of dietary cholesterol, eating too many will raise our blood cholesterol and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Whilst this may sound plausible, more recent and better quality research has concluded that dietary cholesterol does not actually have that much influence over the cholesterol levels in our blood. Instead it may be more due to the amount of saturated fat in our diets.
Even though eggs do contain saturated fats, they also contains mono and polyunsaturated fats which are beneficial for our health and have a protective effect against heart disease.
The newspapers love to make sensationalist headlines about this type of concern but more reliable sources such as the NHS agree eggs are a safe and beneficial addition to the diet and that there should be no reason to eliminate them unless advised by your GP.
They’re a pantry staple and rightly so as they’re super versatile. Great on their own in a variety of styles and a key element of both sweet and savoury recipes. Eggs are a fantastic addition to any diet when aiming for a more healthy, balanced intake.
Egg info: https://www.egginfo.co.uk/
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