Things to keep in mind when eating fertilized duck eggs to avoid harming your health.

Main nutritional components

According to Nguyen Tri Phuong Hospital (Ho Chi Minh City), the main nutritional components in a fertilized duck egg (approximately 70-80g) include:

- Protein: Approximately 13-15 grams, this is high-quality protein that provides essential amino acids for the body.

- Fat: Approximately 11-13 grams, mostly saturated and unsaturated fats, which are essential for energy and bodily functions.

- Vitamins and minerals: Vitamin A (good for the eyes and strengthens the immune system), B vitamins (B1, B2, B12, help metabolize energy and maintain nerve function).

- Iron: Supports red blood cell production, beneficial for people with anemia.

- Phosphorus and calcium: Strengthen bone and teeth health.

- Cholesterol: Balut (fertilized duck egg) has a high cholesterol content (approximately 600-700mg/egg), much higher than chicken eggs.

Health benefits

- Provides energy: A fertilized duck egg can provide approximately 180-200 kcal, helping to quickly boost energy.

- Supports muscle development: Thanks to its abundant protein content, fertilized duck eggs are suitable for people who need nutritional supplementation, especially athletes.

- Boosts immunity: The vitamins and minerals in eggs help keep the body healthy and fight off diseases.

- Supports bone health thanks to its calcium and phosphorus content.

Notes on consumption

Although nutritious, fertilized duck eggs need to be consumed properly to avoid health problems.

Firstly, due to its high cholesterol content, people with cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, or high blood lipids should limit their consumption; 1-2 fruits per week is reasonable.

Secondly, we shouldn't eat too much, as this can cause indigestion or weight gain.

Thirdly, it's best to eat in the morning or at lunchtime so that your body can absorb nutrients and metabolize energy.

According to Dr. Ho Thu Mai, a nutritionist at Vinmec International General Hospital, children under 5 years old should not eat fertilized duck eggs because their digestive systems are not yet fully developed, which can easily lead to bloating, digestive disorders, and harm their health.

Children aged 5 and above should only eat half an egg at a time, 1-2 times a week is sufficient (1/2 of a fertilized duck egg is equivalent to 4-5 fertilized quail eggs).

Furthermore, eating fertilized eggs regularly can lead to an excess of vitamin A. Vitamin A is fat-soluble, so when in excess, it accumulates under the skin and in the liver, causing jaundice, peeling of the epidermis, and affecting bone formation, resulting in incomplete development in children.

In addition, people with high blood pressure, diabetes, hepatitis, fatty liver disease, cardiovascular disease, gout, etc., should avoid or limit their consumption of fertilized duck eggs.

Healthy adults should only eat 2 fertilized duck eggs per week.

Why should fertilized duck eggs be eaten with Vietnamese coriander and ginger?

According to Dr. Mai, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Vietnamese coriander (rau răm) has a pungent, spicy taste and strong aroma, is warm in nature, and has the effects of warming the stomach, preventing bloating, disinfecting, and dispelling cold. It also has the effect of improving eyesight, enhancing intelligence, strengthening tendons and bones, preventing stomach chills, and sunstroke...

Therefore, eating Vietnamese coriander, possibly with added ginger, can help prevent stomach chills, bloating, and digestive problems for those who eat fertilized duck/quail eggs.

Balut (fertilized duck egg) is considered a delicacy, believed to nourish yin, enrich blood, improve intelligence, brighten eyesight, and promote rapid growth. Therefore, eating balut with Vietnamese coriander and ginger is a clever combination in folk medicine and is considered a remedy for anemia, weakness, stunted growth, headaches, dizziness, etc.