It seems that with every decade that passes, some poor food group gets villainized.
Carbs… fats… even proteins have been on the “naughty” foods list at one time or another – a direct result of the current fad of the times.
But there’s one food in particular that’s received SO much bad press, that even today most people avoid eating it.
In fact, most people would probably have fast food before they eat this one food.
The irony, of course, is that science is showing us how this one lonely food is perhaps one of the best “superfoods” out there, based on all the health benefits it can provide. Better yet, this particular food is dirt cheap!
What is it?
None other than the “incredible, edible” egg!
Yes folks, there are volumes of research that suggest eating WHOLE eggs (that means yolk and all!) is actually good for your health.
Here are just a few of the benefits:
Keep your vision sharp: Whole eggs are a rich source of lutein and zeaxanthin – two carotenoids that are proven to protect your vision and ward off cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. In fact, a study in the Journal of Nutrition found that eating just one egg a day can significantly increase blood levels of these two eye-saving carotenoids – without affecting your cholesterol levels.
Reduce inflammation: Inflammation has been linked to numerous diseases, including heart disease, cancer, arthritis and more. And guess what eggs can do… you guessed it – they can help reduce inflammation! It turns out that the choline in eggs can help reduce inflammation by up to 20%, based on the findings of a research paper in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Apparently, the choline in eggs helps improve neural connections and can help the body create new cell membranes.
Lose weight: Who knew! – Eggs for breakfast when dieting can help you shed the pounds. A study in the International Journal of Obesity took two groups of people and put them on a diet. The only difference is that one group got two eggs for breakfast, while the other group got a bagel (of an equal amount of calories to the two eggs). The group that ate the eggs for breakfast lost 65% MORE weight! ‘Nuff said.
Build a stronger body: McMaster University did a study on eggs and how they affect muscle growth. What did they find? Even just 5 grams of egg protein after your workout can help improve muscle recovery and growth (for maximal results, the study found that 20g of egg protein is ideal).
Listen, eggs are cheap. And given the health benefits, you should seriously consider adding them to your everyday diet.
If you have any cholesterol concerns, be sure to check with your doctor first. There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that eggs themselves do not contribute to elevated serum cholesterol or heart disease.
But assuming you’re otherwise healthy, whole eggs can be a great part of your calorie-controlled diet… so eat up!
