Frequently Asked Questions
One large egg has varying amounts of 13 essential vitamins and minerals all for 70 calories. At just 20 cents each, eggs are affordable and also contain 6 grams of high-quality protein and all nine essential amino acids. Eggs are an excellent source of choline and selenium, and a good source of high-quality protein, vitamin D, vitamin B12, phosphorus and riboflavin. In addition, eggs are rich in the essential amino acid leucine (one large egg provides 600 milligrams), which plays a unique role in stimulating muscle protein synthesis.
The nutrient content of eggs is similar regardless of color (white or brown), grade (AA, A, or B), or how they are raised (organic, free-range, and conventional). Although eggs are a natural nutrition powerhouse, feeding laying hens a diet enriched in specific nutrients can, in most instances, enhance that nutrient in eggs. Due to higher production costs, such specialty eggs are usually more expensive than generic shell eggs.
Most of the vitamins and minerals in an egg are lost if the yolk is discarded. The white of a large egg contains ~60% of the eggs total protein with the remaining ~40% found in the yolk. Additionally, fat and cholesterol in the egg yolk carry fat-soluble nutrients like vitamin D, E, A, choline, and the carotenoids lutein/zeaxanthin, which may aid absorption of these essential and important components of egg.