New nutrition science study shows the long-term benefits of eggs
By Egg Farmers of CanadaEggs are a nutritional powerhouse, fueling our bodies with essential vitamins, minerals and protein. But did you know that eating eggs can have benefits long after you’ve cleared your plate? Recently published research shows that regularly consuming eggs as part of a healthy diet may reduce risks for cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
New findings on the health benefits of eggs
New data published in the Nutrients scientific journal shows that regular egg consumption has positive long-term benefits on your health.
The study found that those who ate five or more eggs per week had a lower risk of developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. This is because these participants displayed lower fasting glucose levels, which is a measure used to diagnose prediabetes and type 2 diabetes by indicating the amount of sugar (or glucose) present in the body.
In addition to this, those eating five or more eggs weekly also had a significantly lower risk of developing high blood pressure. Researchers concluded this was partly due to antioxidants found in the protein in eggs that may prevent the narrowing of blood vessels.
The power of longitudinal research
The research is taken from a long-term study—or longitudinal study—initially called the Framingham Heart Study, which was started in 1948 to investigate cardiovascular disease in a group of adult men and women. The children of these participants were the subject of a new study, the Framingham Offspring Study1 which began in 1971. Researchers have followed the Offspring Study participants throughout their lives, examining them every four years to report on their cardiovascular health and other health outcomes.
The long-term nature of this study is powerful, showing the impact of diet and lifestyle over decades and between generations. Prior to the Framingham studies, there was relatively little data about how the course of people’s lives related to heart disease and other health matters.
Hungry for more? Click here to read our research summary for more details on this study. Visit eggs.ca for the latest egg recipes perfect for any meal, at any time of day.