Egg lovers everywhere have been, until recently, plagued with the threat of high cholesterol as a result of indulging their savoury tooth. It was commonly believed that as eggs contain cholesterol, eating them would cause cholesterol levels in the body to rise. The good news is, new research from the British Heart Foundation has now turned this notion on its head!
The research shows that in most healthy people, eating eggs has no negative impact on cholesterol levels and eggs can in fact be a useful tool in maintaining good health. The study looked at risk factors for coronary heart disease and found no correlation between dietary cholesterol and cholesterol levels in the body. Interestingly, eggs nowadays also contain about 12% less cholesterol than they did 20 years ago. Due to their low calorie content and high protein levels, eggs will keep you feeling fuller for longer, freeing you from the urge to snack between meals and actually aiding in weight loss.
Now that eggs are off the hook, what lead to this common misconception?
Studies have shown that it’s the saturated fat our eggs have often been paired with (think sunny side up!) that is the real culprit in raising cholesterol levels. Keeping tabs on your saturated fat intake by having your eggs boiled, scrambled or poached instead of fried is a great way to enjoy eggs as a regular part of a balanced diet. It could even help you shed a few of those extra festive pounds!
People with diabetes or familial hypercholesterolaemia are still advised to limit their cholesterol intake but aside from these specific health conditions, the British Heart Foundation and the Department for Health have lifted all previous recommendations on restricting egg intake. Just remember, to keep cholesterol levels in check hold the extra butter in everyday cooking and keep fried varieties as an occasional treat. We believe our free range Nith Valley woodland farm eggs are so naturally delicious as they are, you won’t even want to frazzle them.
