A dozen reasons why eggs are good for you
If you are not an egg-lover you might want to reconsider as there are 12 reasons why it's healthy.
According to the South African Poultry Association (SAPA), there are many reasons why eggs are good for you.
1. Eggs help the immune system
Fighting like soldiers on a battlefield, our immune system is the body’s defence against invading viruses, bacteria, and other illness-causing pathogens. Eggs are high in vitamin A and selenium, which are important nutrients for normal immune function.
2. Eggs are good for the eyes
Egg yolks are good for the eyes as this is the part of the egg that has lutein and zeaxanthin. These nutrients have been shown to lower the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in older people.
3. Eggs are good for the heart
While eggs do contain cholesterol, eating eggs will not necessarily raise your cholesterol. Compared to non-egg eaters, those who eat eggs daily have a lower risk of heart disease and stroke, and also a lower risk of dying from these conditions.
4. Eggs are good for building muscle
When combined with resistance (weight) training, protein provides the building blocks for muscle building and repair. Eggs are a source of high-quality protein: one large egg contains 7g of protein. In fact, eating whole eggs immediately after resistance exercise results in better muscle building than if just eating the egg white.
5. Eat the whole egg, not just the white
While the egg white contains protein, selenium and the B-vitamin riboflavin, there is a lot of nutrition in the egg yolk. The egg yolk contains heart-healthy fats (monounsaturated fats) and half of the protein of the whole egg. If you avoid eating the egg yolk, you’re missing out on vitamin D and iron.
6. Eggs help vegetarians meet their nutrient needs
Plant-based eating like vegetarianism is on the rise. Vegetarians are encouraged to supplement their diets with vitamin B12. One large egg contains almost 44 per cent of our B12 needs, and is high in protein to meet these nutrient needs.
7. Eggs are good as part of an energy-restricted diet
Eating an omelette at lunch could help you feel fuller and even have you eating less at the next meal, according to a 2011 study.
8. Eggs are good to eat during pregnancy
A vital nutrient for pregnant women is choline, which plays a key role in the development of a baby’s brain and nervous system. Eggs contain choline, making them a good choice as part of a healthy diet during pregnancy.
9. Eggs can help our young children to grow
An American study reported that introducing eggs to the diets of children of between six and nine months significantly improve their growth. In a country with high rates of malnutrition, eggs have the potential to contribute to reducing stunting.
10. Eggs are versatile and store well
Scrambled for breakfast, quiche for lunch, frittata for dinner or boiled as a snack, eggs can be eaten at any time of the day and in so many forms. Eggs also store well in our pantries or fridges.
11. Eggs are good because they’re a cost-effective food
Compared to other protein sources like meat, chicken and fish, eggs are relatively well-priced and offer an affordable source of protein.
12. Eggs are good to eat every day
The Department of Health’s dietary guidelines for South Africans support that we can eat eggs in moderation every day.
