With their creamy yolks and delicate shells, eggs are a delight to chefs and food lovers around the globe. But eggs also play a starring role in a nutritious diet; packed with protein and vitamins and low in calories, eggs are a fine example of a good thing in a small package.
Protein
Protein plays an important role in the synthesis of muscle, but it's also important to many other body functions as well as to disease prevention and weight loss. But not all protein is created equal. Two large eggs contain 12.56 g of high-quality protein with all of the essential amino acids the body needs but can't produce on its own. And, unlike red meat, a serving of egg protein in two scrambled eggs comes without a lot of saturated fat and calories.
Vitamins and Minerals
Eggs are a naturally good source of vitamin D, a nutrient that aids in calcium absorption for the maintenance of strong bones. Two scrambled eggs are also a significant source of riboflavin and vitamin B12 and an excellent source of choline, a water-soluble B vitamin. According to the American Egg Board, choline enhances brain function in adults by supporting the structure of brain cell membranes and contributes to a healthy pregnancy by aiding in fetal brain development. Additionally, egg yolks contain the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which help protect against macular degeneration that can cause blindness as you age.
Heart Health
Eggs, especially the yolks, developed a bad reputation for heart health because of their high cholesterol content. At 185 g and 60 percent of the daily value per large egg, there's no refuting eggs' high cholesterol content. However, how the cholesterol in scrambled eggs affects your heart is becoming more clear. Contrary to popular belief, the cholesterol in eggs does not go directly into the bloodstream and straight to the arteries, according to the Harvard Medical School. In fact, very little cholesterol passes into the blood, and saturated and trans fats play a bigger role in raising your blood cholesterol level.The only large study to examine the role of egg consumption in heart disease found no connection between the two, according to Harvard.
Weight Loss
The protein in eggs can be a boon to dieters. Protein creates a lasting feeling of satiety, leading to less food consumption and overeating. According to the American Egg Board, research shows that consuming eggs for breakfast can lead to less hunger throughout the day, less snacking between meals and more sustained energy.
References
- Egg Nutrition Center: Nutrition Facts Panel: Large Egg
- Harvard Medical School; Egg Nutrition and Heart Disease : Eggs Aren't the Dietary Demons They're Cracked up to Be; July 2006
- American Egg Board: Egg Proteins & Weight Management
- American Egg Board: Egg Nutrients
- USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory: Egg, Whole, Raw, Fresh



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