Media coverage once again has eggs on the brain and once again we are fronted with claims that eggs may be harmful to heart health – media running all over the JAMA study.
‘Let us share more’
The JAMA egg and cholesterol study is a 2019 release, you can read the full study here.
Their study sought to answer the following; ‘Is consuming dietary cholesterol or eggs associated with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality?’
Here is how the study was structured
Individual participant data were pooled from 6 prospective US cohorts using data collected between March 25, 1985, and August 31, 2016. Self-reported diet data were harmonized using a standardised protocol. Data analysed was from 29 615 participants. Researchers concluded that participants overtime increased their egg consumption. The research determined this then increased their risk of heart disease and death.
From first glance, this study seems fairly well rounded. There was a large number of participants, and the study went for a long period of time. However, the data provided by participants is needless to say, “not much”. Participants were only asked to complete one food frequency questionnaire at the beginning of the study and another at the conclusion of the 17-year period. How could this possibly determine eggs as the underlining reason for researchers linking them to poor cardiovascular and health outcomes. Furthermore, this study only included people from the US in communities where ethnic diversity was not strong and from people who were consuming a highly processed western diet to begin with.
‘It is frustrating that we are fronted with these claims when in actual fact the real science on eggs is the following’
Eggs are among the most nutritious foods on the planet. When you think about it one egg contains all the nutrients and building blocks to formulate a baby chicken. This indicates the biochemical complexity and nutrient dense qualities of an egg. Eggs are loaded with high-quality proteins, vitamins, minerals, good fats and various trace nutrients.
In one whole egg contains the following;
Vitamin B12, Vitamin B2 and Vitamin B5; B vitamins are extremely important for energy production in our bodies and for maintaining health and wellness.
Vitamin A; this vitamin is essential nutrient for healthy vision, teeth, skeletal tissue and skin.
Selenium; this is an essential trace element for mammals, although can be toxic in large quantities
Every other vitamin and mineral; yes, that’s right, eggs contain a trace of just about everything key to our health and wellbeing.
Even the Heart Foundation backs the consumption of eggs and enlightens us on why they are so healthy; (this is encouraging as we know this foundation has historically been backwards in delivering its information)
“Eggs contain good quality protein and are a source of healthy fats including omega-3 fats and the cholesterol in eggs has almost no effect on your blood cholesterol levels “.
From our perspective, eggs are a superfood and actual science demonstrates this, ultimately it is about the individual using and consuming eggs in a balanced fashion so as to optimise their potential on ones health.
Thank you for Sharing!
