How much do you know about eggs? The nutrients in eggs play a role in weight management, muscle strength, brain function, eye health and more. Cost-effective and versatile, the unique nutritional composition of eggs can help meet a variety of nutrient needs of children through older adults. Keep reading to find out four facts you likely didn’t know about egg nutrition.
- The yolk contains almost half an egg’s protein and a high proportion of vitamins. Don’t toss the yolk! While the egg white provides a portion of vitamins B6 and B12, folic acid, pantothenic acid and thiamin, the yolk contains more of each nutrient. All of the egg’s vitamins A, D, E and K are in the yolk, and egg yolks are one of the few foods naturally containing vitamin D. The yolk also contains more calcium, copper, iron, manganese, phosphorus, selenium and zinc than the white. Enjoy a whole egg to benefit from all the nutritional value it has to offer!
- Two important nutrients for brain health and cognition are found in eggs: choline and lutein. Choline plays a role in early brain development during pregnancy and infancy, particularly in areas of the brain that are used for memory and learning. Choline is an essential nutrient, meaning that our bodies can’t produce it in sufficient amounts, so we have to get it in our diets. Lutein has long been associated with eye health, but recent research has discovered lutein’s role in cognition, as well.
- Eating egg yolks won’t raise your cholesterol.Yes, egg yolks are a natural source ofdietary cholesterol, and, though eggs were once avoided and criticized for their cholesterol content, recent scientific research has shown no or little connection between dietary cholesterol and its effect on our cardiac systems.
- Whole shell eggs and whole liquid eggs are equally healthyoptions. Do you like the convenience of liquid eggs but worry about the nutritional difference between liquid and whole shell eggs? Luckily, there are no nutritional differences! When you purchase whole egg liquid products, not just liquid egg whites, you’re still getting all 13 essential vitamins and minerals eggs offer.
So, there you have it – eat more eggs! This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the egg-mazing nutritional benefits of eggs. Visit our website to learn more about egg nutrition or check out the Egg Nutrition Center.
