Orange County, CA - April 24th, 2019 - Eggs have a reputation of being on both sides of the spectrum. Should you separate the yolk from the whites? Do they raise your cholesterol? Are they healthy or not?
Researchers from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine tries to answer those questions. The results of the study show a link between dietary cholesterol in eggs and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and early death. Up until the present, the federal nutritional guidelines and many nutrition experts consider eggs part of a healthy diet. Past dietary guidelines advised 300 milligrams per day, or a little less than the cholesterol content in two eggs. However, the newest edition, dropped the 300 milligrams due to the lack of evidence for a specific limit.
Study co-author Victor Wenze Zhong from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine wrote in an email to TIME:
“Whether dietary cholesterol is associated with cardiovascular disease or death has been debated for decades. Positive, negative and [neutral] associations have been reported. The existing literature is still controversial and inconclusive for nutrition experts and researchers to conclude the safety of eggs.”The study gathered data from six separate observational studies, which included roughly 30,000 American adults with an average age of 51. Study participants listed information about their dietary habits, lifestyle, and demographic information. Researchers then tracked their health for up to 31 years. During that period, more than 6,100 people died, and 5,400 experienced cardiovascular issues. A total of three to four eggs each week increased cardiovascular disease risk by 6 percent. Early death also increased to 8 percent.
In the end, it’s not a massive jump across the board. Researchers state that if 1,000 people ate an additional half an egg each day, 11 more people would develop heart disease, and 19 more people would die in the next three decades. Nonetheless, it’s a standard for the United States to consume three to four eggs per week.
“People who eat eggs every day should pay extra attention, since “greater consumption means higher risk. Limiting foods rich in dietary cholesterol, such as eggs, may be important to consider when choosing a healthy eating pattern. Egg whites, which are a rich source of high-quality protein without dietary cholesterol, can be used to replace whole eggs.” Zhong continued.
The research on eggs is conflicting, which means that the individual and their health care physician must personally decide how many eggs are healthy. People who currently have a risk of cardiovascular problems may want to be more cautious than those who aren’t, especially if they have a family or medical history of heart disease.
The findings of the study appear in the medical journal JAMA.
