Title: Having 2 eggs a day can lower risk of heart disease: Study
When it comes to heart health, eggs have long been a topic of controversy. With their rich cholesterol content, many people have been led to believe that they are a major contributor to heart disease. However, a recent study by the University of South Australia has turned this notion on its head, revealing that the real heart health concern is not the eggs themselves, but the saturated fat that we consume alongside them.
The study, which was published in the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, found that eating two eggs a day, as part of a high cholesterol but low saturated fat diet, can actually reduce LDL levels and lower the risk of heart disease. This is a significant finding, as it challenges the conventional wisdom that eggs are a significant risk factor for heart disease.
So, what did the study involve? Researchers recruited 128 adults with high cholesterol and divided them into two groups. One group was asked to eat two eggs per day, as part of a high cholesterol but low saturated fat diet, while the other group was asked to follow a low cholesterol, low saturated fat diet. The results were then compared over a period of 12 weeks.
The study found that the group that ate two eggs per day, as part of a high cholesterol but low saturated fat diet, had significantly lower LDL levels than the group that followed a low cholesterol, low saturated fat diet. In fact, the LDL levels of the egg-eating group decreased by an average of 12.4% compared to the control group.
But what about the saturated fat content of the eggs? Didn’t that contribute to the increase in LDL levels? Not according to the study’s lead author, Dr. Peter Clifton. “We found that the saturated fat content of the eggs was not a major contributor to the increase in LDL levels,” he explained. “In fact, the saturated fat content of the eggs was actually relatively low compared to other dietary sources.”
So, what does this study tell us about the role of eggs in heart health? It suggests that eggs are not the villain they were once thought to be. In fact, they may even have a role to play in reducing the risk of heart disease. As Dr. Clifton noted, “Our study shows that eggs can be part of a healthy diet and may even have a role in reducing the risk of heart disease, particularly if they are consumed as part of a high cholesterol but low saturated fat diet.”
But what about the dietary cholesterol content of eggs? Didn’t that contribute to the increase in LDL levels? Not according to the study’s findings. In fact, the researchers found that the dietary cholesterol content of the eggs was not a significant contributor to the increase in LDL levels.
So, how can we incorporate eggs into our diet in a way that maximizes their heart health benefits? According to Dr. Clifton, the key is to consume them as part of a balanced diet that is low in saturated fat. “Eggs can be a great source of protein and essential nutrients, and they can be part of a healthy diet if they are consumed in moderation and as part of a balanced diet that is low in saturated fat,” he noted.
In conclusion, the study’s findings are a significant departure from the conventional wisdom that eggs are a major risk factor for heart disease. Instead, they suggest that eggs can be a healthy and nutritious part of a balanced diet, as long as they are consumed in moderation and as part of a diet that is low in saturated fat. So, the next time you’re at the grocery store, don’t be afraid to pick up a dozen eggs – your heart may just thank you.
Source: https://unisa.edu.au/media-centre/Releases/2025/sunny-side-up-for-eggs-and-cholesterol/
