The risks of eating too many eggs
Although science has now confirmed that eggs are a healthy food, there are still some studies that suggest that eating too many eggs can be harmful.
Eggs are a simple, low-calorie food. Each egg contains 6 grams of protein, along with ingredients such as brain-healthy choline, and lutein and zeaxanthin - two antioxidants known for their ability to support vision. Eggs are sugar-free and low in sodium.
According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, most healthy people can eat up to seven eggs per week without affecting their heart health. Eating too many eggs can cause some side effects.
Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
A study of half a million adults in China found that eating one egg a day reduced the risk of heart disease. However, eating three to four eggs a day was a different story. A 2022 meta-analysis published in the journal Circulation concluded that consuming more than 300 mg of cholesterol a day was associated with a 17% higher risk of heart disease and an 18% higher risk of death. The average egg contains about 186 mg of cholesterol.
Increased risk of diabetes
In a 2009 study published 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.
Makes you eat more unhealthy foods
Cooking eggs doesn’t change their nutritional profile, but what you cook them with can certainly affect your health. Many people have a habit of frying eggs in butter or serving them with high-fat, high-sodium processed meats like bacon or ham. In this way, eggs can be a vehicle for inadvertently consuming too much saturated fat, sodium, and calories. This can lead to a higher risk of heart disease.
