Eggs: Are they good or bad for my cholesterol? (2024)

Are chicken eggs good or bad for my cholesterol?

Answer From Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D.

Chicken eggs are an affordable source of protein and other nutrients. They're also naturally high in cholesterol. But the cholesterol in eggs doesn't seem to raise cholesterol levels the way some other foods, such as those high in trans fats and saturated fats, do.

Although some studies have found a link between eating eggs and heart disease, there could be other reasons for these findings. The foods people typically eat with eggs, such as bacon, sausage and ham, might do more to boost heart disease risk than eggs do. Plus, the way eggs and other foods are cooked — especially if fried in oil or butter — might play more of a role in the increased risk of heart disease than eggs themselves do.

Most healthy people can eat up to seven eggs a week without increasing their risk of heart disease. Some studies have shown that this level of egg consumption might even help prevent certain types of stroke and a serious eye condition called macular degeneration that can lead to blindness.

But if you have diabetes, some research suggests that eating seven eggs a week increases heart disease risk. However, other research failed to find the same connection. Still other research suggests that eating eggs might increase the risk of developing diabetes in the first place. More research is needed to figure out the link between eggs, diabetes and heart disease.

Health experts now suggest eating as little dietary cholesterol as you can, aiming to keep intake under 300 milligrams (mg) a day. One large egg has about 186 mg of cholesterol — all of which is found in the yolk. If your diet contains little other cholesterol, according to some studies, eating up to an egg a day might be an OK choice.

If you like eggs but don't want the cholesterol, use only the egg whites. Egg whites contain no cholesterol but still contain protein. You can also use cholesterol-free egg substitutes, which are made with egg whites.

With

Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D.

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  1. Xia PF, et al. Dietary intakes of eggs and cholesterol in relation to all-cause and heart disease mortality: A prospective cohort study. Journal of the American Heart Association. 2020; doi:10.1161/JAHA.119.015743.
  2. 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines. Accessed Nov. 4, 2021.
  3. Are eggs good for you or not? American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2018/08/15/are-eggs-good-for-you-or-not. Accessed Oct. 30, 2021.
  4. Spence JD, et al. Cardiovascular harm from egg yolk and meat: More than just cholesterol and saturated fat. Journal of the American Heart Association. 2021; doi:10.1161/JAHA.120.017066.
  5. Blesso CN, et al. Dietary cholesterol, serum lipid, and heart disease: Are eggs working for or against you? Nutrients. 2018; doi:10.3390/nu10040426.
  6. Zhuang P, et al. Egg and cholesterol consumption and mortality from cardiovascular and different causes in the United States: A population-based cohort study. 2021; doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1003508.

See more Expert Answers

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Eggs: Are they good or bad for my cholesterol? (2024)

FAQs

Eggs: Are they good or bad for my cholesterol? ›

Chicken eggs are an affordable source of protein and other nutrients. They're also naturally high in cholesterol. But the cholesterol in eggs doesn't seem to raise cholesterol levels the way some other foods, such as those high in trans fats and saturated fats, do.

Are eggs actually bad for cholesterol? ›

Chicken eggs are an affordable source of protein and other nutrients. They're also naturally high in cholesterol. But the cholesterol in eggs doesn't seem to raise cholesterol levels the way some other foods, such as those high in trans fats and saturated fats, do.

What are three best foods for lowering cholesterol? ›

Cholesterol-lowering foods
  • Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods. Foods high in soluble fiber help reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. ...
  • Fish and omega-3 fatty acids. ...
  • Walnuts, almonds and other nuts. ...
  • Olive oil. ...
  • Foods with added plant sterols and stanols.

How many eggs a week should a senior eat? ›

How Many Eggs Can Older People Eat? There is no limit to the number of eggs older people can eat, with the exception of those with type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol or any existing heart disease who can enjoy up to 7 eggs a week.

Are bananas good for cholesterol? ›

The fiber and potassium in bananas can reduce the level of cholesterol and blood pressure. Banana is especially known as a good source of soluble fibre which will gives one a healthy body and good immune system. Grapes get into the bloodstream and carry all the bad cholesterol into the liver where it gets processed.

Is it bad to eat eggs every day? ›

Is it OK to eat eggs every day? Because of their numerous benefits, it's OK to eat one whole egg, including the egg yolk, every day if you don't have cardiovascular disease and you do have a healthy level of blood cholesterol. Or you can mix two egg whites with every egg yolk to give yourself more protein.

What can I drink to flush out my cholesterol? ›

Cholesterol is often high due to excessive saturated and trans fat consumption. There are certain drinks that can help maintain an ideal cholesterol level. Some of the best drinks for cholesterol management include green tea, pomegranate juice, citrus juice, soy milk, plant-based smoothies, and red wine.

What are the six super foods that lower cholesterol? ›

  • Legumes. Share on Pinterest. ...
  • Avocados. Avocados are a rich source of monounsaturated fats and fiber, two nutrients that help lower LDL and raise HDL cholesterol. ...
  • Nuts. ...
  • Fatty fish. ...
  • Whole grains. ...
  • Fruits and berries. ...
  • Dark chocolate and cocoa. ...
  • Garlic.
Dec 19, 2023

What is the golden drink that lowers cholesterol? ›

Golden milk, also known as turmeric milk, is a common Indian drink that has recently been gaining popularity in western cultures due to many health claims. It's beautiful bright yellow color is a result of adding turmeric, along with spices such as cinnamon and ginger, to milk.

Is 2 eggs a day too much cholesterol? ›

For most healthy adults, it's safe to eat 1–2 eggs a day depending on how much other cholesterol is in your diet. If you already have high cholesterol or other risk factors for heart disease, it may be best to eat no more than 4–5 eggs per week.

How many glasses of water should an elderly person drink a day? ›

According to the Reynolds Institute on Aging, Seniors should aim for 6 to 8 glasses of fluid a day, or approximately 1.5 liters. Have your senior sip on water throughout the day. Sometimes using a straw is easier and leads to more water consumption. Offer a full glass of water when they take medications.

What is the healthiest way to eat eggs? ›

Overall, shorter and lower-heat cooking methods cause less cholesterol oxidation and help retain most of the egg's nutrients. For this reason, poached and boiled (either hard or soft) eggs may be the healthiest to eat. These cooking methods also don't add any unnecessary calories.

What is the #1 fruit for cholesterol? ›

Pears and apples have a lot of pectin, which is a type of fiber that can lower cholesterol. So do citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. Berries are also high in fiber.

What is the number one food to lower cholesterol? ›

Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods

Oatmeal has soluble fiber, which reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol. Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears.

Is peanut butter good for cholesterol? ›

Due to its high amount of unsaturated fats, peanut butter may help reduce a person's LDL cholesterol levels. Having optimal LDL levels is linked with a lower risk of heart disease. A 2015 study found that people who had a high intake of nuts may have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease mortality.

Do eggs raise cholesterol in 2024? ›

Eating a dozen eggs per week may not affect your cholesterol, study suggests. Written by Jessica Freeborn on April 2, 2024 — Fact checked by Jill Seladi-Schulman, Ph. D. Eggs have many nutrients, but recommendations for egg consumption have changed over the years.

How do you avoid eggs for cholesterol? ›

The fat and cholesterol found in eggs can harm heart health and lead to diabetes, as well as prostate and colorectal cancers.

Is eating 12 eggs a week bad for you? ›

In the study, after following participants for four months, researchers did not see any adverse effects on cardiovascular health among people who ate 12 fortified eggs per week. For example, blood cholesterol levels were similar between people who regularly ate fortified eggs and those who ate few or no eggs.

Do eggs raise triglycerides? ›

Last, in a meta-analysis of 28 RCTs, egg consumption increased total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and HDL-c levels but not the LDL-c/HDL-c ratio, TC:HDL-c ratio or triglyceride (TG) levels compared with low egg consumption diets (8).

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