by admiller

Created on: May 17, 2009   Last Updated: August 14, 2010

Eggs are an ancient food that many view as an unhealthy diet choice. In fact, the incredible edible egg is a nutritional giant worthy of high praise. Well-meaning, health conscious people have resorted to egg whites, but the truth is that many disease fighting nutrients are found in the yolk. The American Heart Association states that one egg a day is acceptable and part of a healthy diet.

Egg Misconceptions

It has been taught that eggs contain cholesterol and this causes heart disease. The cholesterol debate can become quite complex and confusing, but the important thing to remember is that HDL is known as good cholesterol and LDL is known as bad cholesterol. While eggs have been shown to increase LDL cholesterol, the increase was not in the type of LDL that clogs arteries and contributes to heart attacks. It is now believed that dietary cholesterol is better for you than the cholesterol found in saturated and trans fats. Current studies find no link between egg consumption and increased heart disease.

Egg Benefits

The egg is a nutritional power-house with numerous health benefits. Here are the top ten reasons you should include eggs in your diet.

1. Eggs benefit eye health. The antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin found in the yolks of eggs ward off blindness, macular degeneration and cataracts.

2. Eggs are a good source of protein. A large egg provides 6 grams of protein. Because of this high protein content, eggs are included with meat, fish, poultry, nuts, and beans on the food pyramid. The protein is considered high quality because it provides all of the essential amino acids that the body needs.

3. Eggs have the right kind of fat. Many cholesterol-containing foods are also high in saturated fat, but eggs are an exception. Eggs contain low levels of the bad-for-you saturated fat (about 1.5 grams) and zero levels of the worse-for-you trans fat. Two-thirds of the egg's total fat content is the good-for-you unsaturated kind. Eggs labeled as having healthy omega-3 fats come from chickens fed with omega-3 containing seeds.

4. Eggs have folic acid. Folic acid is more than a nutrient for pregnant women. It regulates cell division and assists in the production of serotonin which controls appetite, sleep, and mood.

5. Eggs boost brain power. Eggs have high levels of choline, an essential nutrient responsible for brain development and maintaining memory storage.

6. Eggs strengthen bones. Egg yolks are one of the few foods that naturally contain vitamin D. Vitamin

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>