Eggs are perceived as nutrition bombs. Many people can’t start their day without them. But are they really so healthy? Short answer, no.
Eggs have long been popular amongst health-conscious people because of their high-quality protein. They’re one of the most important foods to build muscles and get strong, right? Eggs are also undeniably nutritious, containing varying amounts of 13 essential vitamins and minerals.
But we’re missing the rest of the story behind eggs.
1. Eggs contain saturated fat
First, eggs are animal products, meaning they contain saturated fat. That’s no shocker, and we have long known that saturated fat is responsible for raising cholesterol. When cholesterol increases, the risk of cardiovascular disease increases. Also, too much saturated fat can potentially lead to type 2 diabetes.
2. They are cholesterol bombs
Eggs are by far the number one source of cholesterol, packing about 187mg of cholesterol per egg. Some claim that dietary cholesterol doesn’t have an impact on our blood cholesterol, but several studies have found that eating dietary cholesterol such as eggs increases blood cholesterol.
Further, dietary cholesterol has inflammatory and oxidative effects on LDL cholesterol (the bad kind of cholesterol). This leads to negative effects on the cardiovascular system.
A recent study suggests that regular egg consumption is as harmful to our bodies as smoking cigarettes.
3. Your gut bacteria dislike them
Today we know the importance of our intestinal bacteria for our health. We need probiotics for a functioning digestive system. Egg yolks contain a compound called lecithin, which our intestinal bacteria convert into a chemical called TMAO. High levels of TMAO are linked to an increased risk for heart attack or stroke.
As discussed in our recent feature article, there’s also a huge connection between the gut, our minds and our overall sense of well-being.
4. The egg industry needs fixing
Most chickens in the egg industry live their existence crammed into battery cages. About 95% of eggs produced in the United States come from caged birds. The chicks never meet their mothers and the males are thrown into a grinder alive.
After two years of overproducing eggs, the laying mother hens are slaughtered. When the hens arrive at slaughter, a third of them already have broken legs due to the cramped cages, filthy hygiene, and overall inhumane conditions.
5. You don’t need eggs
All protein is good protein, right? When we eat concentrated sources of protein like eggs, it’s hard on the liver and kidneys which can eventually lead to organ failure. If you worry about getting enough protein, there are much more nutritious plant-based sources like beans, lentils, legumes, nuts and seeds. The plant-based proteins also give you plenty of vitamins and nutrients.
By choosing plant-based protein sources instead of eggs, the positive effects are doubled. Your body will thank you, and you won’t be supporting an industry that’s extremely detrimental to human health, the environment and animal welfare.
And yes, you can bake without eggs.
The future of eggs: 4,400 years in the making
So without eggs, what will become of classic brunches? Eggs benedict? What about meringues, eggnog, or flan? Eggs would seem to be an indispensable ingredient in certain dishes – until now.
