There Is No Proven Link Between Eggs and Cardiovascular Disease

There is no link between egg consumption, blood cholesterol levels, and cardiovascular disease, according to a large new observational study.

Eggs

After tackling several egg controversies, we now know based on a large new observational study that average egg consumption does not significantly increase our blood cholesterol levels or our relative risk of heart disease or heart attacks. This important study, which analyzed data from more than 177,000 people in more than 50 countries, provides an almost definitive answer.

No Correlation

All studies that attempted to show the possible causal mechanisms between egg yolks and cholesterol or cardiovascular disease never succeeded. However, the vast majority of observational studies showed that with a reasonable consumption (between 1 and 12 eggs per week), there is no relationship between the consumption of eggs, the level of cholesterol, and the occurrence of cardiovascular disease. The average consumption of saturated fat, dietary cholesterol, or eggs is not correlated with an increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Furthermore, what makes this study more comprehensive is that it involved different ethnic groups from Europe, North America, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. And the results of the study are unanimous: none of the cohorts showed a correlation between egg consumption (from less than one egg per week to seven or more eggs per week), blood cholesterol levels, and cardiovascular disease.

Don’t be afraid of eggs

This should not be seen as an excuse to consume eggs excessively. The message here is simply that they can be part of a balanced diet and can be consumed daily and wisely without fear for your health if you follow an overall healthy lifestyle. In the US, a lot of cardiologists still recommend that patients limit egg consumption to two eggs per week, and preferably go for a Mediterranean diet which would be much more appropriate (and more useful for the patient). In short, if you want to eat some eggs do it in moderation and try to go for organic eggs as they are much healthier to consume.