The hot and cold data regarding the benefits and hazards of eggs have left people puzzled. Some say eating eggs regularly is bad, while others think it should be part of the usual diet. While people have managed to find themselves in the middle of the mix, the perpetual question still rings loud: how many eggs can a person eat in a day safely?
Egg is a good source of protein. It also contains different vitamins and minerals. Aside from that, preparing it can be quite a breeze. However, the thing that has been pulling people back is the high level of cholesterol that eggs contain, which may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
New Study: No Link Between Eggs And Cardiovascular Disease
A new study found that eggs may not be as bad for the health as some people think.
Specifically, the researchers found that even a relatively high intake of cholesterol, which is found in one egg, is not linked with increased risk of coronary artery disease.
The same results hold true even for ApoE4 gene-carrying people, whose blood cholesterol is said to be more strongly affected by intake of dietary cholesterol or cholesterol found in animal food sources.
How Many Eggs Can A Person Eat In A Day Or Week?
"There is no current recommendation on how many eggs you should consume each week," says Julia Zumpano from the Preventive Cardiology Nutrition Program of Cleveland Clinic.
One egg has approximately 186 milligrams of cholesterol. Most of these bad guys can be found in the yolk. Therefore, if an individual wants to eat more eggs, then they must limit the intake of other food items that contain high levels of saturated and trans fat. Yes, moderation is still part of the picture.
Experts recommend that a person without heart disease, diabetes or high cholesterol can have a daily intake of one whole egg on the average. Doing so will not elevate the person's risk of cardiovascular disease.
For people with known high cholesterol, heart disease or diabetes, the intake of whole eggs must be limited to two or less weekly. Such practice will help prevent heart disease, especially if consumption of other food rich in cholesterol, trans and saturated fat is kept at a minimum.
The Key Is Cooking (And Eating) Eggs Right
Another helpful tip is to cook and eat eggs in the right way. To make egg dishes healthier, experts recommend cooking it without salt or additional fat. For example, hard-boiled or poached eggs are better cooked without salt, while scrambled ones are better cooked without butter, which is high in saturated fat.
People may also want to shy away from frying as this cooking method is said to increase eggs' fat content by approximately 50 percent.
Lastly, eat egg whites more than yolks; these contain less saturated fat and cholesterol, which are actually the key culprits that make eggs less desirable.
So relax, cook that egg with less salt, scoop out some of the yolk and enjoy while being perfectly healthy.
Photo: Steve Johnson | Flickr
