Is egg yolk good for the body?

                Egg Yolk Benefits and Disadvantages


Egg yolks contain high levels of cholesterol, saturated fat and protein. The American Heart Association recommends limiting consumption of eggs because they increase LDL (bad) cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure. 

What should you eat instead?


Eggs are rich in nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, choline, zinc, selenium, copper and lutein. They also contain protein, iron and other B vitamins. Egg yolks also provide a source of energy and build muscle mass.

Egg yolk contains high levels of cholesterol, vitamins A and D and iron. Egg yolk is also rich in fat-soluble vitamins A and E. These vitamins help protect people against heart disease and cancer. 

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends consuming between 400 and 500 milligrams of vitamin A daily, along with 20 to 40 micrograms of vitamin D per day, and five to 10 milligrams of iron per day.

It is recommended that people consume no more than 300 milligrams of cholesterol per day. Eggs have about 190 milligrams of cholesterol, which is about half the amount in fish. Eating eggs does not increase the risk of developing cardiovascular problems unless the person already suffers from heart conditions.

More studies show that eggs do not increase blood cholesterol levels and may actually lower them, although they may increase triglycerides. One study showed that eating two whole eggs, one cup of milk and a piece of cheese daily for six weeks lowered LDL levels by 14 percent.

Eating eggs regularly may improve bone density and prevent osteoporosis. However, while some research shows that eggs may be helpful in the prevention of osteoporosis, others find little evidence that eggs prevent fractures in older adults. In the Nurses' Health Study, researchers looked at the effects of dietary fat intake on fracture rates among nearly 17,000 women over 12 years. 

Women who ate three or more servings of fried food each week were twice as likely to suffer a hip fracture as those who consumed less than one serving weekly. Researchers believe that saturated fats from bacon, sausage and other meats might raise the risk for fractures. While eggs are low in saturated fats, they still contain approximately seven grams of total fat.

To help reduce cholesterol, try substituting egg whites for regular eggs in recipes. Using egg substitutes, such as liquid egg whites, may be a good way to cut down on cholesterol. If you want to enjoy the taste of real eggs, consider using omega-3 enriched eggs instead of regular eggs. Omega-3s are naturally occurring fatty acids that are known to play a role in reducing inflammation and lowering bad cholesterol levels.

Many people avoid eggs due to concerns about the cholesterol content. According to the National Institutes of Health, consumption of just one large, cooked egg a day provides 25% of the Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamin B12.

 Vitamin B12 reduces the risk of Alzheimer Disease. When choosing foods, look for products that say "natural," "vegetarian," or "no-cholesterol." You should also make sure that the product has not been treated with antibiotics.

There is strong scientific evidence that supports the use of raw egg whites in place of other ingredients in many baked goods. Raw egg whites provide several nutritional advantages over regular eggs.

 Besides having fewer calories, raw egg whites contain lecithin, which is considered the best natural emulsifying agent. Because of their consistency, egg whites are ideal for making meringues, angel food cakes, chiffon pies and sponge cake batters. Use egg white substitutes in place of regular eggs.

When buying eggs, choose unrefrigerated eggs that are stored in the cartons where they originally came from. Unrefrigerated eggs last longer and remain fresher. Refrigerate eggs if you plan to store them for later use. 

Eggs can be kept refrigerated for up to four days. Store eggs in the refrigerator or freezer; never leave them out at room temperature. Be sure to wash the shells well before storing eggs. After washing, dry them thoroughly. Shells contain bacteria that can spoil eggs. Once shells are dry, place them in a resealable plastic bag and keep them in the refrigerator.

If you prefer to remove the shell, crack eggs gently over a bowl. Don't beat eggs or shake them vigorously. To separate the yolk and white, tilt the bowl slightly and carefully slide the tip of a sharp knife under the wide end of the yolk. Cut around the edge of the yolk, then lift it free of the bottom shell. Repeat with the second egg.

If a recipe calls for eggs, use a measuring spoon to measure the correct number of eggs. Do not purchase eggs by weight. Measure eggs by volume. Also, measure eggs by placing them in a glass container that holds 2 cups of water. Stir until the eggs are completely mixed. Then count how many eggs are in the container. Divide the number of eggs by 4 to determine how many ounces of egg whites you need.

You can easily multiply the number of egg whites needed to make a certain recipe by dividing the number of eggs by 8. For example, if you are cooking a 6-egg omelet, divide 6 by 8. That equals 1 tablespoon of salt. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the baking dish when you add the vegetables.

Use fresh eggs every time you cook eggs. Cooked eggs lose nutrients quickly and stale eggs will affect the taste and texture of whatever you are making.

If possible, buy eggs from local farmers who raise their own chickens. Local farms tend to keep their animals well fed. Since they produce the eggs themselves, the price is much cheaper than purchasing farm-fresh eggs at the grocery store.

Some experts suggest that eating eggs once or twice a week may benefit people with type 2 diabetes. Research shows that eating eggs lowers blood sugar levels. Studies have shown that people with diabetes who eat eggs every day had lower fasting insulin levels compared to people who skipped eggs.

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