There has been much debate on the question of whether eggs are good for you or not. The controversy has been going back and forth for some time. Only a few years ago there had been much negative publicity given to eggs and their suspected link to increased cholesterol and heart disease. More recently the consensus has changed somewhat to now saying that eggs are an excellent source protein and vitamins which far outweigh any negative health issues associated with them. So, do we need to worry about our health when we eat eggs?
In the past, the main concern about eggs was the cholesterol which was thought to be harmful. But those fears have changed in recent years. Now scientist have begun to question if the cholesterol in eggs is as harmful as previously thought. One study in 2013 found that eating one egg per day was not associated with increased risk of heart attack or stroke among healthy people.
Eggs are an extremely healthy food, if you set aside the question of cholesterol. Eggs are a good source of high-quality protein, vitamin B12 phosphorus and riboflavin. High quality protein helps build muscles and allows people to feel full longer which can help with weight control.
The question of cholesterol in eggs is based on studies done years ago in which high cholesterol was associated with the development of heart disease. Eggs do contain cholesterol and so they were soon assumed to be bad for your heart.
More recently the attitude towards eggs has changed somewhat. In fact, an article in Today’s Dietitian listed egg eating as one of the most common heart-health related myths that nutritionists need to expel. But sometimes it takes a while for myths to be disproved and there are still those who look upon eggs negatively. The tide may be changing in favor of eggs as being a healthy food choice.
With all the studies and more that have shown eggs as less harmful than was believed, the U.S. government’s Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee has eased longstanding recommendations for cholesterol in February of 2015.
Although the question of whether eggs are good or bad for us is still being debated, the edge may be going to the eggs are good side.
