Over the years, eggs have gotten a bad rap. They are high in cholesterol, which experts once believed was the leading dietary cause of heart disease. As a result, many people banished eggs from their diet.
More recent studies have shown that saturated fat鈥攏ot cholesterol鈥攊s the primary dietary contributor of heart disease. Actually, eggs contain nutrients that may actually lower the risk of heart disease. In fact, a single egg contains more nutrients per calorie than most foods.
Here are some of the many health benefits of eggs:
1. Packed with protein
One single egg has about six grams of protein, with the egg white holding about half that amount. Eggs contain all the essential amino acids, which are protein-building blocks that we can only get from food. Getting enough protein can help to increase muscle mass, lower blood pressure, lose weight, and enhanced bone health.
2. Promotes good eye health
The egg yolk contains a large amount of lutein and zeaxanthin, which helps promote good eye health. It can help prevent 鈥攖he leading cause of age-related blindness. Eggs are also packed with vitamin A, which promotes healthy eye function and good vision.
3. Supports a healthy pregnancy
Eggs are a good source of protein鈥攁nd they鈥檙e packed with vitamins and minerals, which is good for the baby鈥檚 brain development. Some of the many vitamins and minerals include iron, vitamin B12, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, and selenium. Eggs also contain folic acid, which help support healthy brain and spinal cord development for the fetus.
4. They are filling
Because eggs are packed with protein, eating eggs can make you feel full longer. As a bonus, eggs are low in calories, containing about 71 calories per egg. Eggs contain a nutrient called choline, which is an important component of managing metabolism.
Reduce Your Risk
Eggs have been linked to salmonella. You can protect yourself from a bacterial infection by:
- Not eating raw eggs
- Discarding cracked eggs
- Keeping eggs refrigerated
- Cooking eggs to 165 degrees before consuming
- Washing your hands after handling eggs