A report published in the April 21 issue of JAMA analyzed data about egg consumption from two large studies. Eating one egg per day was not associated with an increased risk of heart attack or stroke among the 100,000 participants in either the Nurses' Health Study or the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study.
Eggs are low in cost and rich in protein, essential amino acids, some vitamins and other minerals.
The negative aspects of eggs are that they are extremely high in cholesterol. Most Americans consume more protein than they need and can easily get the other nutrients from green leafy vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and fruit. Even though children are at relatively low risk for heart disease or stroke, the habits and tastes they develop as children often remain a life-long pattern. Egg consumption is associated with eating foods high in saturated fat such as bacon, red meat and whole milk. Egg whites can be substituted for whole eggs in omelets and other egg dishes.