[JSR] Eating an Excess Amount of Eggs Can Harm Your Health

Unlike what many people think, eggs can be harmful to a person’s health.[Source: Associated Press, Mark Lennihan]

The yolk of the egg holds the most cholesterol, which is what can make overconsumption unhealthy. [Source: Pete Rodman/Gillette News Record via Associated Press]

Many people know that eggs are incredibly nutritious. Eggs are even classified as a “superfood.” According to Healthline, a boiled egg contains a multitude of healthy nutrients, including Vitamin A, Folate, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B2, Phosphorus, and Selenium. In addition, it raises HDL which stands for high-density lipoprotein. However, there may be a downside to eating eggs in excess.

A study from Gizmodo states that a “daily consumption of a certain amount of cholesterol, a key nutrient of eggs, is linked to a modest increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease and early death.” The average American eats about 300 milligrams of cholesterol a day. Studies show cholesterol intake can lead to an increase in unhealthier low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Rachel Lee, Grade 9 The Science Academy

After experiments, they found out that “there was a 17 percent increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with every extra 300 milligrams of dietary cholesterol a day, along with an 18 percent increased risk of early death, even after adjusting for factors like the amount of calories eaten per day.” Therefore, scientists recommend to monitor your cholesterol intake. The yolk of the egg is the main source of cholesterol. Therefore, if people want to reduce their cholesterol intake, they may want to eat only the egg whites, instead of the whole egg.

There may be some side effects to eating an excess amount of eggs. One egg contains about 186 milligrams of cholesterol. According to San Francisco Gate, the “Dietary Guidelines for Americans used to recommend a cholesterol intake of no more than 300 mg.” That means consuming two eggs for breakfast can lead to excessive cholesterol intake. Eggs also contain saturated fat which can increase levels of LDL. Side effects can lead to heart disease and diabetes.

Different types of eggs may be healthier to eat than others. Free-range eggs tend to be more nutritious than others. These eggs are lower in saturated fat and cholesterol than regular eggs. They provide essential nutrients like beta carotene, omega-3 fats and vitamins A and E. Therefore, to minimize cholesterol and fat intake, free-range eggs may be the better choice.

Anisa Khan, a student from The Science Academy STEM Magnet says that eggs are her least favorite food. She dislikes the smell, taste, visual appearance, and feel about them. However, she says, “everyone else in my family usually consume multiple eggs a day,” thinking they are very nutritious. Likewise, most people believe that eggs are healthy and are beneficial to their health. However, it is important to know that eating too many can actually lead to negative effects on one’s health.