Are eggs healthy for our heart or not? A new study says we can safely eat more than two eggs per week! The research was recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, which supports the findings of a previous study.
A study showed impressive results in a three-month period, so the latest research took the same approach over a more extended period. This recent study used data from 128 participants that ate eggs as part of their diet for over a year.
No Link Between Egg Consumption and Heart Disease
The results showed that egg consumption does not affect raising cardiovascular risk factors. Primary risk factors for cardiovascular disease are increases in cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure. The study showed that not even the ones that had pre-diabetes or Type 2 diabetes were in danger of increased risks of heart disease.
Dr. Nick Fuller is one of the authors of the study, and he states in an interview the following:
“Despite differing advice around safe levels of egg consumption for people with pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes, our research indicates people do not need to hold back from eating eggs if this is part of a healthy diet.”
The participants of the previous study ate 12 eggs in a week. After three months, the findings showed no increase in cardiovascular risk markers.
Dr. Fuller explains that there is no connection between the ‘bad’ cholesterol and eating eggs (which are high in cholesterol), not even in people with diabetes:
“While eggs themselves are high in dietary cholesterol — and people with type 2 diabetes tend to have higher levels of the ‘bad’ low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol — this study supports existing research that shows consumption of eggs has little effect on the levels of cholesterol in the blood of the people eating them.”
Eggs: A Healthy Protein, Vitamin and Mineral Source
Fuller also notes that “eggs are a source of protein and micronutrients”. They help our bodies remain healthy by regulating “the intake of fat and carbohydrate, eye and heart health, healthy blood vessels and healthy pregnancies.”
However, dietitians and nutritionists advise people with high cholesterol or cardiovascular disease to eat only two eggs per week. The Canadian Diabetes Association has the same recommendation.
Rex Austinwas born and raised in Thunder Bay Ontario on the shores of Lake Superior. Apart from running his own podcast (Ice Fishing And Other “Cool” Things), he spends his time canoeing and backpacking in Northern Ontario.. As a journalist Rex has published stories for Global News (Thunder Bay) we well as Buzz Feed and Joystiq. As a contributor to Great Lakes Ledger, Rex most covers science and health stories. Contact Rexhere