Discovered unexpected good news for egg lovers

A new study has debunked the long-held belief that eggs are bad for the heart and found that eating just one egg a day can actually improve cholesterol levels.

Eggs are a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, protein and healthy fats. But they have long been criticized for being naturally high in cholesterol.

Many people worry that eggs can raise blood cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease – the leading cause of death. But growing evidence suggests that the risk may not be as great as once thought.

Eating two eggs a day can actually help lower bad cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease - Photo: AI

Research to exonerate eggs

Eggs are high in cholesterol, but low in saturated fat, but it is the cholesterol content of eggs that often makes people question their healthfulness, said lead author Dr. Jon Buckley, Professor at the University of South Australia, in a statement.

To test this, Professor Buckley and colleagues looked at the independent effects of dietary cholesterol and saturated fat on bad cholesterol, which can build up in the arteries and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.

They conducted a randomized, controlled, crossover study involving 61 people with an average age of 39 years and a baseline LDL cholesterol level of <3.5 mmol/L (safe level). Participants were assigned to three diets with the same amount of calories for 5 weeks:

• 2 eggs/day: High in cholesterol, low in saturated fat.
• No eggs: Low in cholesterol but add foods high in saturated fat.
• 1 egg/week: Add foods high in cholesterol and saturated fat.

The results were surprising: Eating two eggs a day can actually help lower bad cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease, according to medical news site Medical Xpress.

At the same time, researchers also found that the real culprit in raising blood cholesterol is saturated fat. Mainly from animal sources, such as meat and dairy products, along with tropical oils such as coconut and palm.

Dr Buckley says: “It’s safe to say the study provides solid evidence in defence of the humble egg. So when you’re having breakfast, it’s not the egg that you need to worry about – it’s the bacon or sausage that you’re eating with it, which could impact your heart health.”

Researchers concluded: It is saturated fat that is the culprit in increasing bad cholesterol in the blood, not cholesterol in eggs. Compared to only 1 egg/week but high in saturated fat, eating 2 eggs a day with less saturated fat, even helps reduce bad cholesterol levels, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, according to Medical Xpress.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/day-thuc-su-la-tin-vui-cho-nguoi-thich-an-trung-185250720233744847.htm