You've probably heard the old saying that eggs are nature's perfect food. It turns out that's not just an old wives' tale. Eggs are nutritional powerhouses that provide a number of benefits when you eat them regularly. Not only are they delicious and versatile, but eggs are also affordable, sustainable, and packed with protein, healthy fats, and over a dozen vitamins and minerals your body needs.
For years eggs were wrongly maligned due to their
cholesterol content. We now know that for most people, the cholesterol in eggs
does not negatively impact blood cholesterol or heart disease risk. In fact,
eggs may even help reduce heart disease risk for some. Eggs are also great for
your eyes, brain, muscles, and more.
The next time you're looking for a quick,
satisfying breakfast, whip up a couple of eggs. Your body and brain will thank
you for the boost of nutrition. Eggs are nature's perfect food, and you should
eat them every day.
Eggs Are Incredibly Nutritious
Eggs are little powerhouses of nutrition. Here are
a few reasons you should eat eggs every day:
- Eggs
contain high-quality protein. Just one egg contains 6 grams of protein and
all 9 essential amino acids our bodies need. Eating eggs for breakfast
will give you energy to power through your morning.
- Eggs
are loaded with vitamins and minerals. Eggs contain vitamin B12,
riboflavin, selenium, choline, lutein, and zeaxanthin. These vitamins and
minerals are important for eye health, metabolism, and brain development.
- Eggs
may help you lose weight. Studies show that eating eggs for breakfast can
help you feel full and reduce appetite, which may aid weight loss. The
protein in eggs helps you stay satisfied and less likely to overeat later
in the day.
- Eggs
are good for your heart. Although eggs contain cholesterol, eating eggs in
moderation does not generally increase the risk of heart disease in
healthy individuals. Eggs actually contain many heart-healthy nutrients
like betaine, choline, and antioxidants.
- Eggs
may boost brain health. The choline in eggs is important for brain
development and memory. Eating eggs may even help prevent age-related
mental decline and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Eggs are affordable, versatile, and one of the
healthiest foods on the planet. An egg a day really does keep the doctor away!
Including eggs in your diet is an easy way to get many essential nutrients and
improve your health. Scramble up some eggs and enjoy!
Eggs Are Loaded With Protein
Eggs are little protein powerhouses. Just one large
egg contains 6 grams of protein, which is pretty impressive for something so
small. Protein is essential for building and repairing muscle, bone, blood, and
cartilage.
- Eggs
contain all nine essential amino acids our bodies need. Amino acids are
the building blocks of protein, and we must get them from our diet. Eggs
contain them all in the proper proportions for human health.
- The
protein in eggs is very digestible. Eggs get a perfect score of 100 on the
Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score, which measures how well
the body can absorb and utilize the protein in a food.
- Eggs
contain several important minerals like selenium, choline, B12, B2,
phosphorus, and folate. Many of these are important for cell health,
metabolism, and the production of energy.
Eggs are also very versatile and budget-friendly.
You can scramble them, poach them, bake them, or whip them into an omelet. They
work well as a snack, side dish, or main course. At roughly 25 cents per egg,
they won't break the bank either.
For most people, eating one whole egg per day is
perfectly healthy. The cholesterol in eggs was once a concern, but we now know
that for the majority of people dietary cholesterol has little effect on blood
cholesterol. So go ahead, enjoy your eggs. Your body will thank you for the
protein boost and nutrition.
Eggs Are High in Vitamin B12
Eggs are one of the few natural sources of vitamin
B12, an important nutrient for your health. Vitamin B12 is essential for DNA
synthesis, red blood cell formation, and proper neurological function.
Excellent Source of Vitamin B12
A single large egg contains about 22% of your daily
vitamin B12 needs. Vitamin B12 is found almost exclusively in animal foods, so
for vegetarians and vegans, eggs can be an important source of this vital
nutrient. A B12 deficiency can lead to fatigue, weakness, and even anemia.
Supports Your Brain and Nerves
Vitamin B12 plays a key role in maintaining the
health of your brain and nervous system. It's needed to produce myelin, the
fatty sheath that protects your nerves. Low B12 levels have been linked to
depression and other mood disorders, memory problems, and cognitive decline.
Eating eggs regularly may help prevent or slow age-related mental decline and
reduce your risk of dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
Fights Heart Disease
Despite outdated beliefs that eggs are bad for your
heart, eating eggs in moderation can actually lower your risk of heart disease.
The B12 in eggs works with folate and B6 to break down homocysteine, an amino
acid that can damage blood vessels when levels get too high. Eggs also contain
many other heart-healthy nutrients like protein, choline, selenium, and lutein.
For most people, eating up to one egg per day is perfectly safe and healthy.
In summary, eggs provide an abundance of vitamin
B12, which is vital for your health, brain, nerves and heart. Adding eggs to
your diet several times a week is an easy way to get more B12 and the many
other nutrients eggs have to offer. Scrambled, poached or in an omelet, eggs
make a delicious and nutritious breakfast or snack. Your body and mind will
thank you.
Eggs Are Full of Choline
Eggs are one of the few foods that naturally
contain choline, an important nutrient that many of us don't get enough of.
Choline is essential for various bodily functions, especially brain development
and liver function.
Choline for Your Brain
Choline is a precursor to acetylcholine, a
neurotransmitter that helps regulate memory, mood, muscle control, and other
brain functions. Consuming adequate choline has been shown to help improve
memory, cognition, and mental focus. It may even help slow age-related mental
decline and reduce the risk of neurological disorders like dementia and
Alzheimer's disease.
Choline for Your Liver
Choline also helps transport fats out of your
liver. Without enough choline, fat can build up in your liver, which may
eventually lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Consuming choline-rich
foods like eggs can help prevent excess fat accumulation in your liver and
maintain its health.
How Much Choline Do You Need?
The recommended adequate intake for choline is 425
mg per day for most adults. A single large egg contains 113 mg of choline, so
eating 2-3 eggs per day can help you meet your needs. Other good sources of
choline include beef liver, salmon, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. However,
eggs remain one of the most concentrated sources of this vital nutrient.
- Choline
may improve memory, cognition, and mental focus.
- Choline
helps transport fats out of your liver to prevent buildup.
- Most
adults need 425 mg of choline per day. Two eggs provide over half that
amount.
- In
addition to eggs, eat beef liver, salmon, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.
Eggs are nutritional powerhouses, and their choline
content is just one of the many reasons to enjoy them daily. Scrambled,
poached, or in an omelet—any way you like them, eggs can give your brain and
liver the choline they need. An egg a day may truly help keep the doctor away.
Eggs Are High in Selenium
Eggs are one of the few foods that naturally
contain selenium, an important mineral that acts as an antioxidant in your
body. Selenium helps support your immune system and may help reduce
inflammation.
Selenium Fights Free Radicals
Free radicals are unstable molecules that can
damage your cells. Selenium helps neutralize free radicals and may help prevent
cell damage. Eating foods high in selenium, like eggs, helps ensure you get
enough of this important antioxidant mineral.
It Supports Your Thyroid
Selenium plays an important role in the health of
your thyroid gland. Your thyroid produces hormones that regulate your
metabolism and other bodily functions. Selenium helps convert the inactive
thyroid hormone T4 into the active T3 form that your body can use. Eggs are a
perfect food for thyroid health and provide about 22% of your daily selenium
needs in a single large egg.
May Reduce Cancer Risk
Some research shows that higher selenium levels are
associated with a lower risk of certain cancers like prostate, lung, and colon
cancer. Selenium may have anti-cancer effects and help slow or prevent the
growth of cancer cells. Eggs provide an easy way to boost your selenium and
possibly lower your cancer risk.
Improves Mood
Selenium works with vitamin E as an antioxidant and
helps support brain health and mood. Some studies show that selenium deficiency
may contribute to a poor mood and that selenium supplements can help improve
mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety or depression. The selenium in eggs may
give your mood and brain health a boost.
In summary, eggs contain many nutrients like
selenium that are important for your health, immunity and mood. Aim for eating
one whole egg per day to take advantage of the many benefits that eggs have to
offer. Your body and mind will thank you.
Conclusion
So there you have it, eggs are nutritional
powerhouses that deserve a spot in your daily diet. Don't believe the outdated
myths about eggs and cholesterol - eating an egg a day will not harm your heart
health. In fact, eggs contain many nutrients that are great for your heart and
overall health. Eggs are affordable, versatile, and a perfect food for any meal
of the day. Whether you like them scrambled, poached, or baked into a frittata,
eggs can be a quick, satisfying, and nutritious option when you're short on
time. Make eggs a habit and start reaping the benefits of this incredible
edible. Your body and brain will thank you.
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