Harvard has determined how many eggs you should eat per week
For decades, egg consumption has been a source of controversy among health and nutrition experts. The idea of limiting your consumption of eggs to one or two per week has been around for many years due to their high cholesterol content. However, a Harvard Medical School study found that for most people, the cholesterol in eggs does not pose a significant risk to cardiovascular health.
Traditionally, guidelines have suggested consuming a maximum of 300 mg of cholesterol per day, and each large egg contains about 200 mg. However, recent research suggests that dietary cholesterol has little effect on levels of “bad” cholesterol, or LDL cholesterol, which is linked to heart disease. This is due to the fact that cholesterol enters our body mainly from the liver, and not from food.
The key, according to Harvard, is saturated fat. This type of fat, not cholesterol, is the real cause of high LDL levels. Luckily, eggs are low in saturated fat—only 1.5 grams per egg.
How many eggs can you eat per week?
Harvard’s conclusion is that a healthy person can consume up to seven eggs per week without causing significant risk. In fact, this amount can be beneficial. Large-scale studies that looked at the diets of hundreds of thousands of people found no increase in heart attacks, strokes or other cardiovascular diseases in those who consumed an egg per day.
Not only are eggs an inexpensive source of high-quality protein, but they also contain essential nutrients. One large egg contains about 6 grams of protein and only 72 calories. In addition, eggs provide:
– Lutein and zeaxanthin: antioxidants beneficial for eye health.
– Choline: An essential nutrient for the brain and nervous system.
– Vitamins A, B and D: support the immune system and bone health.
Are there people who should avoid eggs?
While one egg a day is safe for most, people with specific medical conditions, such as diabetes or high LDL cholesterol, should consult their doctor. Although eggs have no effect on cholesterol levels for most, some people with certain health conditions may need to eat in moderation.
Eggs are a healthy and safe food to add to your weekly diet. For most people, eating up to seven eggs a week can be part of a balanced and healthy diet.