Although at the end of the 20th century it was maintained that eating more than two eggs a week increased cholesterol, in recent years experts have been debunking this myth. Now, a new study concludes that eating more eggs is not related to higher plasma cholesterol in adolescents, regardless of their level of physical activity.
A new study led by researchers at the University of Granada analyzes the association between egg intake at adolescent age and the main risk factors for developing cardiovascular diseases, such as lipid profile, adiposity, insulin resistance and blood pressure.
"Traditionally, health care professionals maintained that eating eggs increased the level of cholesterolTherefore, in recent decades there has been a tendency to restrict their intake by various public health organizations", explains Alberto Soriano Maldonado, first author of the study, to SINC.
However, the most recent research affirms that the increase in plasma cholesterol seems to be more influenced by the intake of saturated fats and trans fats -present in red meat, industrial pastries, etc.- than by dietary cholesterol itself.
Thus, the results of this article, which is part of the European study HELENA and with nine countries involved, showed that eating more eggs was not associated with a higher plasma cholesterol level or a worse cardiovascular profile in adolescents, regardless of their physical activity.
"The findings, published in the journal Hospital Nutrition, are consistent with recent studies in healthy adults suggesting that an intake of up to seven eggs per week is not associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease," notes Soriano.
As a consequence, the authors suggest a revision of the dietary recommendations for adolescents, although they argue that it would be desirable to replicate the research in a population with a higher egg intake.
"Eggs are an inexpensive food rich in top quality proteins, minerals, folates and B vitamins and, therefore, can provide a large amount of the nutrients that are necessary at the adolescent age for optimal development," the researcher stresses.
Banishing the egg myth
In 1973, the American Heart Association recommended limiting egg intake to a maximum of three eggs per week, an idea that was accepted for years by health officials.
However, while most cholesterol-rich foods are usually also high in saturated fat, an average-sized egg contains about 200 milligrams of cholesterol, but has more unsaturated fat than saturated fat and provides only 70 calories.
Bibliographic reference:
A. Soriano-Maldonado, M. Cuenca-García, L. A. Moreno, M. González-Gross, C. Leclercq, O. Androutsos, E. J. Guerra-Hernández, M. J. Castillo, and J. R. Ruiz. "Egg intake and cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents; role of physical activity. HELENA study." Hospital Nutrition 2013; 28:868-877 DOI:10.3305/nh.2013.28.3.6392
