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What happens to your cholesterol when you eat eggs regularly?

If you fear that your breakfast eggs can increase your cholesterol, know that the recommendations have changed. Emerging research suggests that for most people, consuming eggs in moderation as part of a global heart health food is safe and does not seem to have a significantly unfavorable impact on blood cholesterol.

Jump at the main dishes to remember.

I thought the eggs were bad for my cholesterol. What has changed?

For years, American food directives have recommended to restrict cholesterol in its diet to prevent cardiovascular disease (CV) – a group of conditions that affect heart and blood vessels, such as heart attack or brain vascular accidents:

  • The premise behind this directive was that the consumption of foods rich in cholesterol, like eggs, would breed a type of cholesterol called Lipoprotein with low density (LDL) in blood circulation.
  • High blood rates of LDL over time increase the risk of CV disease atherosclerosisA process involving the progressive accumulation of arterial plaque (a sticky substance that adheres to the arterial walls).
  • Over time, the arterial plate is hardening and narrowing the arteries, which can reduce or even block, the blood flow towards vital organs like the brain and the heart.

However, in recent years, the controversy on the restriction of food cholesterol has appeared. New studies have revealed that eggs are not necessarily harmful, as experts thought. In fact, egg consumption as part of a global healthy food model seems beneficial for its health.

A summary of why Eggs are not considered “risky” or “dangerous” As in previous years, there is the following:

  • Most cholesterol in the bloodstream comes from the liver, not what a person eatsincluding eggs.
  • Foods rich in saturated and trans fatty (For example, butter, bacon and fried foods) mainly trigger the liver to make the “bad” LDL cholesterol, not foods rich in cholesterol, like eggs.
  • Several older studies on food cholesterol and egg consumption did not take into consideration the other eating habits of the participantsin particular their contribution of saturated fats and trans fats.
  • Egg consumption is unrevary With high blood cholesterol in healthy adults, especially when combined with the regular supply of healthy foods, namely fish and fibers.
  • Consuming Until one egg per day has been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

What do experts now recommend?

In previous years, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) created specific directives on the limitation of food cholesterol. However, due to the lack of adequate scientific evidence connecting the consumption of eggs to high levels of LDL cholesterol and at an increased risk of CV, These guidelines were eliminated.

The American Heart Association currently suggests that for people who eat eggs, stick to an egg or two egg whites (which does not contain yellow rich in cholesterol) per day is reasonable, as long as it is combined with other healthy foods for the heart.

A healthy diet for the heart is low in sugar, salt and saturated fats and rich in what follows:

  • Fiber (for example, fruits, vegetables and whole grains)
  • Lean protein (for example, skin -free chicken and chest)
  • Low or fatty dairy products (for example, skim milk and non -greasy Greek yogurt)

All said, although the historic “risk” of eating eggs has been reassessed, it is always important to consider personal risk factors and adapt nutritional habits according to your health, your family history and your lifestyle.

For example, if you have medical conditions such as high cholesterol or obesity, your risk of cardiovascular disease is increased. In such cases, your health care provider can always advise reduction in food cholesterol, including eggs, until more detailed and confirmatory research on the cholesterol / egg link are revealed.

What are the advantages of eating eggs?

Despite their high cholesterol content, the eggs contain many healthy components. They are low in carbohydrates, calories and saturated fats. They also do not contain trans fat and are a rich source of protein and nutrients, including the following:

  • Vitamin D plays a role in the health of bones and the immune system.
  • Choline plays a role in the functioning of the brain, muscles and liver and health.
  • Lutein And zeaxanthine Play a role in eye health.

The main thing is that if you appreciate your eggs in the morning, know that eating one per day is probably ok and even gives you a nutritional boost. That said, be sure to eat your eggs with other healthy foods such as fruit or oat carved in steel.

Cook eggs in the butter or eat them with saturated or trans fatty foods, such as bacon or pastries, beats the purpose of a healthy diet. These foods can increase your cholesterol and increase your chances of developing cardiovascular disease.

Main to remember

  • Health experts have historically advised the limitation of egg consumption, believing that food cholesterol would increase blood cholesterol, thus increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease (for example, heart attack and cerebral vascular accidents).
  • Based on new scientific studies, egg consumption (generally, up to one egg per day) will not increase blood cholesterol or increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
  • Talk to your health care provider of egg consumption (and quantity) according to your individual medical and nutritional needs.
Very well health uses only high -quality sources, including studies evaluated by peers, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to find out more about how we check the facts and keep our content precise, reliable and trustworthy.
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  2. Mortensen Mb, Dzaye O, Bøtker He, et al. Lipoproteins cholesterol with low density is mainly associated with the events of atheroscleotic cardiovascular disease in patients with proof of coronary atherosclerosis: the heart register of western Denmark. Traffic. 2023; 147 (14): 1053-1063. DOI: 10.1161 / circulationaha. 12.061010

  3. Harvard Health. Are eggs risked for heart health?

  4. Qin C, LV J, Guo y, et al. Egg consumption associations with cardiovascular disease in a cohort study of 0.5 million Chinese adults. Heart. 2018; 104 (21): 1756-1763. DOI: 10.1136 / Heartjnl-2017-312651

  5. Grundy SM, Stone NJ, Bailey al, et al. 2018 AHA / ACC / AACVPR / AAPA / ABC / ACPM / ADA / AGS / APHA / ASPC / NLA / PCNA Guideline on blood cholesterol management: a report by the American College of Cardiology / American Heart Association Task Force on clinical practice directives. Traffic. 2019; 139 (25): E1082-E1143. DOI: 10.1161 / CIR.000000000000000625.

  6. American Heart Association. Suggested portions of each food group.

  7. American Heart Association. Here are the last last people on food cholesterol and how it corresponds to a healthy diet.

  8. Papanikolaou y, Fulgoni VL 3rd. Egg consumption patterns can contribute to the recommendations of nutrients and are associated with the quality of food and efforts on gap nutrients. Nutrients. 2021; 13 (11): 4094. Doi: 10.3390 / NU13114094

  9. Khalighi Sikaroudi M, Soltani S, Kolahdouz-Mohammadi R, et al. The responses of the different doses of egg consumption on the lipid blood profile: a systematic update review and a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. J Food Biochem. 2020; 44 (8): E13263. Two: 10.1111 / JFBC.13263

  10. American Heart Association. Are eggs good for you or not?


By Colleen Doherty, MD

Dr. Doherty is an internal and a certified writer of the board of directors living with multiple sclerosis. It is based in Chicago.

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