Consuming up to six eggs a week could significantly lower the risk of dying from heart disease, especially for older adults, a new study reveals.
The research, led by Monash University in Australia, followed more than 8,700 adults aged 70 or older. The study found that those who ate between one and six eggs per week had a 29% lower risk of death related to cardiovascular disease (CVD). This group also showed a 15% lower risk of dying from any cause compared to those who ate eggs less than twice a month.
Holly Wild, a lecturer in epidemiology and preventive medicine at Monash University, explained that the findings suggest eating up to six eggs a week may help reduce the risk of death from various causes, including cardiovascular diseases. She also noted that these results could be useful for developing dietary guidelines for older adults.
Health Benefits of Eggs
Eggs are packed with protein, essential vitamins (such as B vitamins), unsaturated fats, and minerals like choline, folate, and vitamins A, D, E, and K. Despite these benefits, eggs have long been seen as problematic for people with high cholesterol due to concerns about blocked blood vessels, which can lead to heart disease or stroke.
To address this, researchers also looked at people with dyslipidemia, a condition involving high cholesterol levels. The study found that participants with this condition who ate eggs regularly had a 27% lower risk of cardiovascular death compared to those who rarely ate eggs. This suggests that even those with high cholesterol may not face increased heart disease risk from eating eggs, Wild said.
These findings align with European dietary guidelines, which vary by country, and a 2020 review from the American Heart Association, which concluded that healthy individuals can safely consume up to seven eggs per week.
In conclusion, eating up to six eggs a week may provide health benefits, particularly in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in older adults. The research may help shape future dietary recommendations for this age group.
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