Stop feeding fertilized duck eggs to children under 5 years old immediately.

Many families feed fertilized duck eggs to very young children, but nutrition experts advise against giving this dish to children under 5 years old.

1. A nutritious dish...

Balut (fertilized duck egg) is a common dish but very nutritious. It contains 182 kcal of energy; 13.6 grams of protein; 12.4 grams of lipids; 82 mg of calcium; 212 grams of phosphorus; and 600 mg of cholesterol. It also contains plenty of beta-carotene, vitamins A, B, and C, iron, and more.

Balut (fertilized duck egg) contains relatively high levels of vitamin A (retinol) and provitamin A (beta-carotene).

Compared to regular duck eggs, fertilized duck eggs have significantly higher nutritional value because the process of development from egg to embryo transforms certain substances into many essential nutrients that aid in embryonic growth, thus creating the nutritional value of the fertilized egg.

Traditional Chinese medicine considers fertilized eggs as a "nutritious food and medicine" with the effects of nourishing yin, enriching blood, improving intelligence, brightening eyesight, and promoting rapid physical growth.

2. However, children under 5 years old should not eat it.

Because fertilized duck eggs are very nutritious, inexpensive, and easy to buy, many families prefer to purchase this food to nourish the elderly, children, and especially malnourished and weak children.

Although fertilized duck eggs are nutritious, nutrition experts advise against overconsumption because eating too much can overload the digestive system and even cause diarrhea.

Furthermore, not everyone can eat this dish. For example, many families give fertilized duck eggs to very young children, but nutrition experts advise against giving fertilized duck eggs to children under 5 years old.

According to Dr. Doan Thi Tuong Vy, former head of the Nutrition Department at Hospital 198, children under 5 years old should not eat fertilized duck eggs.

"On average, 100g of fertilized eggs contain about 1,000mcg of vitamin A, while a child's requirement is only about 300-500mcg. Eating fertilized eggs frequently can lead to an excess of vitamin A."

"Because vitamin A is fat-soluble, when there is an excess, it accumulates under the skin and in the liver, causing jaundice, peeling of the epidermis, and affecting bone formation," said Dr. Tuong Vy.

Feeding children under 5 years old too many fertilized duck eggs can have very serious consequences, such as:

- Excess Vitamin A: Balut (fertilized duck egg) contains very high levels of vitamin A and provitamin A. Children under 5 years old only need to eat 100g of balut to get 2-3 times their daily vitamin A requirement.

Excessive vitamin A intake can cause several harmful effects, such as jaundice, skin peeling, and impaired bone development in children.

- Causes digestive disorders: Children under 5 years old have underdeveloped digestive systems, so eating foods with too much of the same substance, such as fertilized duck eggs, can cause indigestion, bloating, and diarrhea.

- Increased blood cholesterol levels: Cholesterol in fertilized duck eggs is essential for the formation of nerve cells in children. However, consuming too much can increase the risk of fatty liver and high blood cholesterol levels, leading to cardiovascular diseases.

According to Health and Life