“Dangerous Side Effects of Overconsumption of Eggs: What You Need to Know”

Over the years, eggs have been seen in many ways. From an example of perfect food to a dreaded harbinger of heart disease. And even though science now seems to confirm that eggs are, in fact, a generally healthy food, there are still dangerous side effects of overconsumption of eggs.

Dangerous side effects of overconsumption of eggs

Eggs are a minimally processed, low-calorie food. It has 6 grams of protein, a surprisingly high amount of monounsaturated fat, brain-boosting choline, as well as lutein and zeaxanthin. The latter are two antioxidants known to support eye health, writes eatthis.com.

With all these nutrients, it would be hard to justify their inclusion on the list of unhealthy foods. Some research even shows that people who eat eggs are more likely to have a healthy diet. I can get a variety of important nutrients such as fiber, vitamins and minerals.

In short, eggs are not unhealthy. But overconsumption of eggs can pose some risks for some people, especially those with certain medical conditions. Specifically, people at risk of cardiovascular disease or diabetes may need to limit their egg consumption. To learn more about the possible effects of eating a standard serving of eggs on your body, be sure to talk to your doctor who knows your history.

How many eggs are considered too many?

A serving of eggs consists of one egg or two egg whites. The American Heart Association suggests a limit of one serving per day. But you can hardly feel fully satisfied from just one egg. According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, most healthy people can eat up to seven eggs per week. These cannot affect their heart health.

A 2018 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition even found that eating up to 12 eggs per week for three months did not affect cardiovascular risk factors in people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. However, it’s worth noting that that the people in the study were following a diet designed for weight loss.

Different factors can affect how many eggs are too many for each person. If you have heart disease or diabetes, talk to your doctor to determine the best limit.

You may be consuming too much cholesterol

There is still much debate over the question of whether eggs raise cholesterol. Although for decades experts believed that the cholesterol in egg yolks directly contributed to high blood cholesterol, it now appears that other elements of a person’s diet and health history may have more of an impact. Family history is a major predictor of blood cholesterol levels. Most of the cholesterol in the blood is produced by the liver, it is not ingested through food.

However, eggs contain high amounts of cholesterol. About 190 milligrams, which is more than 60 percent of the 300 milligrams previously recommended as a daily limit by the Dietary Guidelines.

You could increase your risk of heart disease

Most experts agree that an egg a day does not appear to increase the risk of heart disease. In fact, a large study of half a million Chinese adults showed that up to one egg a day actually lowered the chances of developing cardiovascular disease.

On the other hand, three or four eggs every morning might represent a different situation. A 2019 study linked eating more than 300 milligrams of cholesterol per day to a 17 percent higher risk of cardiovascular disease and an 18 percent higher risk of death.

You might gain weight

If your food preferences when eating eggs for breakfast include processed foods such as sausages, pancakes, coffee with cream, the first meal of the day could end up weighing you down. You may notice weight gain if eating an egg-rich breakfast becomes a daily habit.

For optimal health and weight, try more nutritious supplements. You can eat fresh spinach, bell pepper or sliced ​​tomatoes.

You could increase your risk of diabetes

Eating too many eggs may also increase the risk of another chronic condition. In a 2009 study in the journal Diabetes Care, people who ate more than seven eggs per week had a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who ate fewer eggs.

Other research has found that eating eggs may actually improve blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity in people with prediabetes and type 2. The American Diabetes Association recommends eggs as a source of protein.

You may end up eating more unhealthy foods

How do you eat eggs? Cooking an egg doesn’t change its nutrition factor, but the foods you pair it with certainly can. Many people fry their eggs in butter or serve them with processed meats high in fat and sodium, such as ham or bacon. Eggs can be another way to consume unwanted excess saturated fat, sodium and calories. This, perhaps more than the eggs themselves, could lead to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.