Effects of Eggs on Blood Lipids: A New Look at the Evidence (2024)

A new meta-analysis helps clear up conflicting trial data and supports what we know about eggs and serum cholesterol.

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Eggs and Cholesterol: What's the Bottom Line? Experts agree that egg consumption has little impact on serum cholesterol but trial results are inconsistent, even contradictory.

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A Brief Overview of Eggs. Eggs have enjoyed a nutritional rebound after several decades of worry about their cholesterol content. A good source of protein that is low in calories and high in vitamins and nutrients, the AHA supports consumption of an egg a day for healthy adults.

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Meta-analysis of Egg Consumption and Dyslipidemia. The study was conducted after the year 2000, when the cholesterol moratorium was essentially lifted, and included subjects of all ages; the majority of studies looked a whole egg consumption and average weekly consumption was 4 eggs.

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Eggs not Linked to Increased Triglycerides and LDL/HDL. There was no significant effect observed on triglyceride levels or on TC/HDL or LDL/HDL ratios.

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Clinical Implications. Increased TC, LDL, and HDL linked to egg consumption may contribute only a small amount to CVD risk, compared to other modifiable lifestyle risk factors.

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Take Home Points

• Overall results from a meta-analysis of RCTs found that people who eat eggs had higher levels of total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL than those who did not eat eggs.

• Overall, egg consumption was not linked to higher levels of TG, TC/HDL ratio, and LDL/HDL ratio; higher levels did not increase these values.

• Egg consumption may have only a small contribution to CVD risk, but further studies are needed.

Effects of Eggs on Blood Lipids: A New Look at the Evidence (2024)

FAQs

Effects of Eggs on Blood Lipids: A New Look at the Evidence? ›

Overall results from a meta-analysis of RCTs found that people who eat eggs had higher levels of total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL than those who did not eat eggs. Overall, egg consumption was not linked to higher levels of TG, TC/HDL ratio, and LDL/HDL ratio; higher levels did not increase these values.

Are eggs actually bad for cholesterol? ›

Answer From Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D. Chicken eggs are an affordable source of protein and other nutrients. They're also naturally high in cholesterol. But the cholesterol in eggs doesn't seem to raise cholesterol levels the way some other foods, such as those high in trans fats and saturated fats, do.

Does eating eggs increase your triglycerides? ›

Last, in a meta-analysis of 28 RCTs, egg consumption increased total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and HDL-c levels but not the LDL-c/HDL-c ratio, TC:HDL-c ratio or triglyceride (TG) levels compared with low egg consumption diets (8).

Is eating 12 eggs a day bad? ›

Guntipalli told Newsweek that consuming 12 eggs daily far exceeds typical dietary recommendations and can lead to high cholesterol and saturated fat intake, increasing the risk of cardiovascular problems, especially for individuals with heart conditions or genetic predispositions.

What does the American Heart Association say about eating eggs? ›

Eggs can be included as part of a heart-healthy diet. Enjoy 1-2 eggs a day as a high-quality protein.

Is it bad to eat eggs every day? ›

Eggs are also a great source of heart-healthy nutrients like potassium, folate and B vitamins. Some research suggests that up to two eggs per day actually improves heart health. As with anything, moderation is important, especially if you enjoy eggs daily.

Do eggs raise cholesterol in 2024? ›

Eating a dozen eggs per week may not affect your cholesterol, study suggests. Written by Jessica Freeborn on April 2, 2024 — Fact checked by Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph. D. Eggs have many nutrients, but recommendations for egg consumption have changed over the years.

Is 2 eggs a day too much cholesterol? ›

For most healthy adults, it's safe to eat 1–2 eggs a day depending on how much other cholesterol is in your diet. If you already have high cholesterol or other risk factors for heart disease, it may be best to eat no more than 4–5 eggs per week.

Can eating eggs before a cholesterol test affect the results? ›

Compared to the values obtained after 8 wk of egg-free period, the mean serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol/HDL ratio, VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides were not significantly different after 8 wk of egg consumption.

Are bananas bad for high triglycerides? ›

Bananas

They are a fantastic natural energy source and can enhance digestion and control blood sugar levels. In addition to its other health advantages, bananas have been shown to reduce triglyceride levels. Banana consumption has been linked to decrease blood triglyceride levels, according to studies.

What is the healthiest way to eat eggs? ›

Eggs can be enjoyed as part of a healthy, balanced diet, but it's best to cook them without adding salt or fat. For example: boiled or poached, without added salt. scrambled without butter and using low fat milk instead of cream.

Is peanut butter good for you? ›

A Quick Review. Peanut butter packs many health-promoting nutrients that benefit heart health, blood sugar, and weight management. The nut butter might help you get a good night's rest and help you feel full longer. Peanut butter can be a good companion to apples, bananas, chocolate, or simply eaten by the spoonful.

Are eggs good for your liver? ›

Eggs. These are some of the healthiest foods found in nature. Eggs are rich in all the eight essential amino acids and choline, which is also a vital nutrient. The amino acids and choline help the liver in the detoxification process and improve the metabolism rate.

Do cardiologists recommend eggs? ›

Eggs are fine, but limit the total amount to one per day, averaged over a week, without going into extreme excess in one day.” In this article, Dr. Natarajan shares more about the latest research on eggs and cholesterol and how to incorporate eggs into a heart-healthy diet.

Do eggs affect blood pressure? ›

Eggs don't have a direct impact on blood pressure, Dr. Hausvater adds—for example, eating a couple eggs won't cause a surge upward or a sudden downward dip—but they may have an indirect effect because they contain potassium and calcium, which contribute to lower blood pressure.

Will eating eggs every day raise cholesterol? ›

Study: Eating More Than 12 Eggs a Week Shown Not to Impact Cholesterol Levels. Eggs may not impact cholesterol levels as much as once thought, new research suggests. Preliminary results from a new study show that people who ate 12 or more fortified eggs a week had cholesterol levels similar to those who didn't eat eggs ...

What are three best foods for lowering cholesterol? ›

Cholesterol-lowering foods
  • Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods. Foods high in soluble fiber help reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. ...
  • Fish and omega-3 fatty acids. ...
  • Walnuts, almonds and other nuts. ...
  • Olive oil. ...
  • Foods with added plant sterols and stanols.

What is the new study on eating eggs? ›

Eating 12 Eggs a Week Didn't Raise Cholesterol Levels, New Study Finds. People who ate 12 fortified eggs per week had similar cholesterol levels after four months as people who ate fewer than two eggs per week.

Are eggs inflammatory? ›

Arachidonic Acid

This omega-6 fatty acid is found in egg yolks and has been linked to increased inflammation. High levels of arachidonic acid can lead to the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids, which are compounds that can contribute to inflammation in the body.

How to reduce cholesterol in 7 days naturally? ›

A few changes in your diet can reduce cholesterol and improve your heart health:
  1. Reduce saturated fats. Saturated fats, found primarily in red meat and full-fat dairy products, raise your total cholesterol. ...
  2. Eliminate trans fats. ...
  3. Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. ...
  4. Increase soluble fiber. ...
  5. Add whey protein.

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