The Egg-ceptional Properties of Eggs

So, the egg. Small, smooth, delicious. But, for decades, avoided like the plague because of its cholesterol content. This belief overshadowed the healthful nutrients found in little these spheres of goodness. While high cholesterol is a real concern for many, if you are eating a balanced diet, eggs can truly be beneficial because of their healthy properties and, despite what you may have heard, are not significant contributors to your bad cholesterol. In fact, “the biggest influence on [your] blood cholesterol level is the mix of fats and carbohydrates in your diet—not the amount of cholesterol you eat from food.”[1]

The nutrients found in eggs seem to outweigh their erroneous and outdated reputation. Here’s why: Eggs are…

Packed with protein

An egg contains between 5 and 8 grams of protein (depending on its size). Half of the protein comes from the yolk, the other half from the white. Having an egg with some avocado on whole wheat toast in the morning, or as the main protein in your salad at lunch, is a great way to keep you powering through your day, ensuring you don’t get hangry.

A source of choline

Although you may not hear too much about this nutrient, its beneficial properties cannot be underestimated. Choline is essential in cell membrane formation and brain function. This is especially important for pregnant women as it helps with a baby’s brain development. Oh and, can’t remember where you put those keys? The choline in that egg you had might help you out, making memory issues a thing of the past.

Can promote better eyesight

Although our mothers told us that eating carrots could help with our vision, another source of eyesight-enhancing lutein can also be found in eggs. Studies have shown that lutein is “an integral part of the American diet” and that findings of a randomized study of 33 men and women pointed to the fact that “consuming 1 egg per day for 5 weeks… reported increased serum lutein” and that LDL, HDL and triacylglycerol levels were not affected. Studies have therefore concluded that “egg yolk could be an important dietary source to improve lutein… [aiding] AMD (Age-related macular degeneration)”.[2] So, moderate egg consumption ups your lutein levels, which in turn may keep your eyesight in optimal shape.

If none of the above has convinced you to bring back eggs into your diet, there may be one last reason you should: they just taste good. So, get cracking today. What are you waiting for?