Health Benefits Of Eggs

How much do you know about eggs?

Sure, you might know how to make a tasty omelet, but did you know that eggs are one of the healthiest foods around?

That’s why eggs are often referred to as a “superfood”.

At The Mindful Healing Clinic, we have a special interest in helping you improve your health through nutrition.

And today, it’s eggs.

Keep reading to hear all about the numerous benefits of eggs and how naturopathic nutritional counselling can help guide you make the right dietary choices for your body.

Why Are Eggs So Good For You?

Eggs are cheap, abundant, and easy to come by.

That’s true of plenty of unhealthy foods as well, but fortunately eggs have a lot of health benefits.

Let’s take a closer look at some of them.

Now, there are plenty of other eggs you may enjoy, including quail, duck, goose, and even fish eggs.

Today, though, we’re talking about chicken eggs.

1. They’re One Of The Most Nutrient Dense Foods

The reason chickens lay eggs is to protect their babies as they grow.

So they need to have enough nutrients inside them to support a baby chicken until it’s ready to hatch.

This means they’re incredibly dense in nutrients.

A single large boiled egg has significant amounts of:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
• Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B9 (folate)
• Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
• Phosphorous
• Selenium
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K
• Calcium
• Zinc

In addition to these nutrients, eggs contain trace amounts of other types of nutrients needed to maintain health.

Finally, eggs also contain choline, a nutrient that most people don’t get enough of.

Choline helps to build cell membranes and membrane signaling in the brain.

With the amount of nutrients packed inside of a single egg, it’s no wonder they are referred to as “superfoods”.

2. They’re Loaded With Antioxidants

In addition to nutrients, eggs are packed with antioxidants.

These antioxidants are in the egg yolk.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are two of the most prominent antioxidants found in egg yolk.

Their primary function is to support your eye health.

Studies show that getting enough of these antioxidants may reduce your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.

3. They’re A Complete Protein

Protein is the main building block of your body.

It helps to create and support many types of tissues and molecules responsible for a variety of your body’s components.

Therefore, getting enough protein is an essential part to maintaining good health.

Getting enough protein is important for:

• Increasing muscle mass
• Reducing high blood pressure
• Keeping your bones healthy
• Maintaining a healthy weight

Eggs are an excellent source of protein.

A single large egg contains 6 grams of protein.

And since you generally eat more than one egg per sitting, they can be a great source of protein.

3. They’re Good For Weight Loss

Speaking of weight management, did you know that eggs can help you shed off an extra pound or two?

Due to their high protein content, eggs are quite filling for their size.

This can help reduce your caloric intake.

Replacing your breakfast cereal with eggs can help keep you full and therefore reduce your chances of snacking between meals.

RELAED: Naturopathic Solutions For How To Lose Weight And Keep It Off

4. They Raise Your HDL (Good) Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol often gets a bad rap.

While it’s true that certain types of cholesterol can raise your risk of heart disease, not all cholesterol is made equally.

Research continuously shows that cholesterol found in your diet won’t necessarily raise your blood cholesterol levels.

Your liver produces a large amount of cholesterol daily.

When you eat foods high in cholesterol, such as eggs, your liver will simply adjust by producing less of its own cholesterol to even things out.

The type of cholesterol found in eggs is referred to high density lipoprotein (HDL), the “good” cholesterol.

Higher levels of HDL cholesterol may actually reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems.

It’s high levels of LDL cholesterol that cause the issue, and that isn’t found in eggs.

5. They’re Good For Your Heart

Eggs can also help reduce the negative effects of “bad” cholesterol in your body.

Unlike HDL, low density lipoprotein (LDL) is a type of cholesterol commonly associated with increased risks of heart disease.

LDL can be divided into two subtypes: small, dense LDL particles and larger LDL particles.

Smaller LDL particles are more dangerous to your heart health than larger particles.

Eating eggs can turn small, dense LDL particles into larger ones that don’t pose such a big threat to your health.

Are Brown Eggs Healthier Than White Eggs?

Now that you’ve read all about the health benefits of eggs, you might be wondering which type of eggs provide your body with the most health benefits.

It might seem logical to assume that brown eggs are healthier than their white counterparts.

After all, brown bread is healthier than white bread, right?

Since brown hens cost more to feed, their eggs are typically more expensive to buy.

However, both types of eggs are pretty much identical in terms of their nutritional value.

If you’re looking for more bang for your buck, consider trying pastured or omega 3 enriched eggs.

These types of eggs are produced by feeding hens pasture or omega 3 enriched feeds.

This means their eggs hold higher amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, as well as vitamins A and E.

Book Your Appointment With The Mindful Healing Clinic Today

Getting the right amount of vitamins and nutrients for your body isn’t always easy.

At The Mindful Healing Clinic, a Mississauga naturopathic clinic, we can help you design a meal plan that provides your body with the support it needs.

Book your appointment with The Mindful Healing Clinic today to get started on a healthier tomorrow.