There are many good reasons for eating eggs. But what is the danger of an increased cholesterol level? Could eggs be harmful?
Eggs are of great benefit for healthy nutrition. However, they have acquired a bad reputation. The reason for this is that many people are affected by high cholesterol levels and eggs contain a lot of cholesterol. Are these two facts connected? Is it better to stop eating eggs as a precautionary measure or to reduce consumption considerably? How many eggs can one eat without worrying? Everything you need to know about eating eggs and high cholesterol levels is explained in this article.
Eggs are not only delicious, but also rich in high-quality protein and important vitamins and minerals. It is also true to say that eggs, and in particular the delicious and nutrient-rich egg yolks contain a lot of cholesterol. The value in a medium-sized egg, for example, is about 230 mg. Larger eggs can contain more than 270 mg. Is this dangerous? To get to the bottom of the myth, let’s first look at what the function of cholesterol is and what our cholesterol level depends on.
Cholesterol and a sophisticated regulatory mechanism
Cholesterol has a legitimate function in the body. We need it to build our cells and nerve tracts. Cholesterol is also an important building block for the production of many hormones and vitamin D. It is important to know that we do not have to get out cholesterol through food. Our body produces a large amount of the substance itself – always as much as is needed.
A regulatory mechanism controls the cholesterol level in the blood. If cholesterol is ingested through food, the body reduces its own cholesterol production.
If this regulatory mechanism is functioning properly, cholesterol ingested through food has little effect on our blood cholesterol level. Illness or hereditary predisposition can interfere with this mechanism. a permanently high cholesterol level. In this case it is important to counteract with nutritional measures.
SOS: Measures to counteract high cholesterol levels
Does your cholesterol level ring alarm bells? As levels that are too high increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, it is important to intervene. Important: More influential than the amount of cholesterol in food is the quality and quantity of fat in general. If you are overweight, it is important to lose weight by means of a calorie-reduced diet and exercise. Reducing the total amount of fat in your diet benefits both your weight and your cholesterol level. In addition, fat with a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids have priority over fat with a high proportion of saturated fatty acids. Unsaturated fatty acids are mainly found in vegetable oils, whereas saturated ones are found in butter, palm and coconut fat, meat and meat products as well as in processed food and confectionery.
Since alcohol consumption and smoking also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, it is advisable to give up both if your cholesterol level is too high. Cholesterol ingested with food also has an influence on a malfunctioning regulatory mechanism. That’s why those at risk should also keep an eye on their egg consumption. However, doing without them completely is not necessary.
Recommendations: eggs as part of a healthy diet
While healthy people without high cholesterol levels need not worry about eating eggs, people with high cholesterol levels should not eat too many. The recommended amount is three eggs per week, including the egg content in processed food. And don’t forget, eggs provide many important vitamins and minerals as well as high-quality protein. They are therefore beneficial to our health when consumed in moderation and are part of a healthy and balanced diet.
