What the Studies Tell Us
Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health found that healthy adults who ate up to 1 egg a day (7 eggs a week) had little or no increased risk of heart disease. The study monitored the diets and health outcomes of more than 100,000 men and women for up to 14 years.2
Another major study followed the egg consumption and health risk factors of 9,500 men and women for over 20 years. This study also confirmed that eating more than 7 eggs a week did not increase the risk of stroke or heart disease in healthy adults.5
Dietary fat is more harmful than dietary cholesterol
Long-term, in-depth studies like these consistently indicate that there is no reason for healthy adults to limit the number of eggs they consume. However, there is compelling evidence to show that the amount of fat in your diet and the type of fat you eat can seriously put your health at risk.
Saturated and trans fats increase heart disease risk
In another study by the Harvard School of Public Health3, researchers analyzed the amount and type of dietary fat consumed by more than 80,000 women over a period of 14 years. They found that:
- a higher intake of saturated and trans fat was associated with an increased risk of heart disease
- a higher intake of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats was associated with a decreased risk of heart disease
Based on the results of these and other major clinical studies, the facts are clear. The best thing that you can do to protect yourself from heart attack and stroke is to reduce the amount of saturated and trans fats in your diet and replace them with healthy unsaturated fats. Experts also recommend that you exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight and eat nutritious foods like eggs more often. Find out how to manage your cholesterol levels with a healthy lifestyle.
Eggs may help you lose weight
If you're aiming for a healthy weight, try adding eggs to your menu. Eggs have been shown to help people lose weight and keep it off. In a recent study, researchers found that people who ate two eggs and toast for breakfast lost 65% more weight and reduced their waist measurement by 83% more than people who ate a bagel and yogurt for breakfast23.