2013: An Incredible Year for the Incredible Edible Egg

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Here at the Egg Nutrition Center, our team stays abreast of the latest nutrition research so that we are able to provide the most accurate and up-to-date health information to health practitioners. With so many widely researched health indicators related to nutrients in eggs, we often see interesting articles from mass media helping us with our mission! Last week, famed surgeon and media personality Dr. Oz recapped 2013 health trends, and he named the incredible edible egg the best food trend of 2013 (1).

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Over the past year, eggs have certainly seen a surge in popularity due to both health and culinary factors, but they are not a fleeting popularized craze. Eggs have been included in the diets of people around the world for centuries, and the evidence only continues to mount in support of their role in a healthy diet. From their positive impact on weight management to brain, eye and heart health, eggs are one food that health professionals can confidently recommend to clients and patients (2-5). As shown in ENC’s handout on the Nutrient Content of One Large Egg, the nutrient profile of eggs is impressive (6).

Due to years of mixed messages, some confusion remains about the nutritional value of eggs, particularly as it relates to dietary cholesterol. Research shows that egg consumption is not associated with risk of stroke, CVD or cardiac mortality; instead, it has been linked to lower atherosclerotic burden (7-9). Additionally, the American Heart Association agrees that whole eggs – yolks included – can be part of a heart-healthy diet (10,11). As you can see in the video clip of last week’s episode, Dr. Oz also encouraged viewers to include eggs – whole eggs – in their daily diets, specifically calling out the ability of the whole egg to increase the body’s level of HDL (“good”) cholesterol (12). In addition, Dr. Oz noted the inflammation-lowering effects of choline and blood sugar-regulating effects of leucine. He advised viewers not to discard the nutrient-rich yolks of their eggs.

Do you find that clients and patients are wary of eating the yolks of eggs? What do you advise clients and patients when they ask about egg consumption? Chime in to the discussion in the Comments section below!

References

  1. Eglash J. Probiotics wins for best diet trend in 2013; gluten-free worst, says Dr. Oz.Examiner.com. Published Dec 12, 2013. Accessed Dec 13, 2013.http://www.examiner.com/article/dr-oz-unveils-best-and-worst-2013-diet-trends-probiotics-gluten-free-and-eggs.
  2. Layman DK, Clifton P, Gannon MC, et al. Protein in optimal health: heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008; 87(5):15715-55.
  3. Rebello CJ et al. Dietary strategies to increase satiety. Adv Food Nutr Res. 2013; 69:105-82.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23522796. Accessed Dec 16, 2013.
  4. Zeisel SH and Da Costa KA. Choline: an essential nutrient for public health. Nutrition Reviews. 2009; 67:615-623. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1753-4887.2009.00246.x/abstract;jsessionid=92C92C947F8962BD71C762AF787868E8.f03t01?deniedAccessCustomisedMessage=&userIsAuthenticated=false. Accessed Dec 9, 2013.
  5. Abdel-Aal el-SM et al. Dietary sources of lutein and zeaxanthin carotenoids nad their role in eye health. Nutrients. 2013; 5(4):1169-85. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23571649. Accessed Dec 16, 2013.
  6. Nutrient content of one large egg. Egg Nutrition Center. https://www.enc-online.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/Nutrient-Content-of-1-Large-Egg.pdf. Accessed Dec 11, 2013.
  7. Qureshi AI et al. Regular egg consumption does not increase the risk of stroke and cardiovascular diseases. Med Sci Monit. 2007; 13(1):CR1-8.https://www.sapoultry.co.za/pdf-egg-info/mcnamara/Egg-Cholesterol/regular-egg-consumption.pdf. Accessed Nov 25, 2013.
  8. Shin JY et al. Egg consumption in relation to risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013; 98(1):146-59.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23676423. Accessed Nov 25, 2013.
  9. Chagas P et al. Egg consumption and coronary atherosclerotic burden. Atherosclerosis. 2013; 229(2):381-4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23880191. Accessed Nov 25, 2013.
  10. Egg nutrition and heart disease: eggs aren’t the dietary demons they’re cracked up to be. Harvard Heart Letter. 2006. http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/egg-nutrition. Accessed Nov 25, 2013.
  11. Common misconceptions about cholesterol. American Heart Association web site. Updated Nov 16, 2011. Accessed Dec 17, 2013.http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/PreventionTreatmentofHighCholesterol/Common-Misconceptions-about-Cholesterol_UCM_305638_Article.jsp.
  12. Dr. Oz’s best and worst of 2013. The Dr. Oz Show: The Best and Worst Health Trends of 2013. Originally aired Dec 11, 2013. Accessed Dec 13, 2013. http://www.doctoroz.com/episode/best-and-worst-health-trends-2013?video_id=2923860312001
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