A study claimed that boiled, fried, scrambled eggs, or in an omelette, pose a health threat, and eating more of it increases the risk of death.
The researchers found that eating only half of a whole egg – including the yolk and the white – increased the likelihood of death by seven percent, so a person who eats one egg a day has a 14 percent higher chance of dying than someone who avoids eggs, the study claims.
The Chinese researchers who led the study believe that high levels of fat and cholesterol in eggs are the cause.
Replacing an equivalent amount of nuts or legumes for half a whole egg reduces death rates by up to a third.
Researchers surveyed more than half a million Americans between 1995 and 1996, with a follow-up of 16 years.
read more
Data from this study, published in PLOS ONE, shows that 129,328 people who filled out the original form died.
“In this study, egg and cholesterol intake was associated with cardiovascular disease and cancer deaths. The increased mortality associated with egg consumption was significantly affected by cholesterol intake,” said co-author Professor Yu Zhang, from Zhejiang University.
The link between eggs and health has been discussed for years and has long been thought of as a healthy food addition. It is included in the national dietary guidelines in many countries. But food, specifically egg yolks, is high in cholesterol – something that is known to be harmful.
In addition to eggs, the researchers asked the participants how much cholesterol they consumed as part of their diet, and found that an extra 300 mg of cholesterol per day increased the risk of death by 19% over the course of 16 years.
Deaths due to cancer and cardiovascular disease specifically increased, by 24 and 16%, respectively.
“Our results suggest reducing cholesterol intake and replacing whole eggs with whites / substitutes or other alternative protein sources for improved cardiovascular health and long-term survival,” the authors say.
Cholesterol can build up in the arteries, which leads to a blood clot that can cut off the blood supply, which may lead to strokes or heart disease.
read more
The NHS says eggs are a good option as part of a healthy, balanced diet. In addition to being a source of protein, it also contains vitamins and minerals.
She says there is no recommended limit to the number of eggs people should eat, but it is recommended that they be cooked without adding salt or fat. Frying can increase its fat content by about 50%.
This research makes it possible to look at the relationships between what people ate in the past and whether this is related to disease or death in the future, says Dr. Ada Garcia, senior lecturer in public health nutrition at the University of Glasgow.
“The preparers took a very careful approach to analyzing the data and looking at many aspects that could distort the results. The study concluded that retired people who ate 7% more whole eggs were at risk of developing cardiovascular disease,” she added.
Nevertheless, she criticizes the methodology and conclusions of the Chinese team, saying: “Being overweight or obese, smoking or consuming a lot of alcohol and not being physically active are far more important factors that must be taken into account to prevent chronic disease and associated deaths. The conclusions of this study are overblown. Blaming eggs alone for the increased risk of cardiovascular disease is a simplistic and reductive approach to the concept of diet and disease prevention. “
Source: Daily Mail
Source link