For years, eggs have been the subject of debate in the world of nutrition. Some experts warn against eating them due to concerns about cholesterol and heart health, while others emphasize their rich nutritional value.

A new study led by Catherine J. Andersen, associate professor of nutritional sciences, offers a new perspective—especially for young, healthy adults. Previous studies have typically focused on people with pre-existing health conditions such as heart disease or diabetes.

This made it difficult to understand how eggs affect the general population. This made it difficult to understand how eggs affect the general population. To address this issue, Andersen and her team developed a study that looked at a broader range of health factors that doctors typically check during routine medical exams.

Participants were divided into three groups: one did not consume eggs, the second consumed three egg whites per day, and the third consumed three whole eggs per day.

Participants were allowed to prepare the eggs to their liking. The researchers then measured several health indicators, including cholesterol levels, inflammation, and signs of diabetes risk.

The results are surprising and may change the way we think about egg consumption:

More choline, no harmful effects: People who consumed whole eggs had higher levels of choline, an important nutrient found in egg yolks. Although high choline levels are often associated with increased levels of TMAO, a compound linked to heart disease, TMAO did not increase in this study.

No negative changes in blood markers: No harmful changes in cholesterol or inflammation were observed in those who consumed whole eggs.

Better diabetes markers: Surprisingly, whole eggs appear to have less of a negative effect on diabetes-related markers than egg whites.

A richer diet: Those who consumed whole eggs had a more nutritious diet and higher hematocrit levels, an indicator of red blood cell density.

The study also revealed some interesting differences between participants. For example, women who did not take combined oral contraceptives showed a greater increase in the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL ("good" cholesterol), which may pose a risk for heart disease.

These women also had an increase in monocytes, a type of immune cell. These immune changes were closely related to HDL cholesterol levels.

This study is just the beginning. Andersen's team plans to conduct further research to study how whole eggs affect the immune system and HDL function. They will also investigate how factors such as age, gender, genetics, and gut bacteria influence the body's response to eggs. | BGNES