Grand Bien Vous Do x TipsForWomens: are eggs a healthy food?

Alternately accused of causing cholesterol levels to explode and then rehabilitated as a health food, is the egg good for your health or not? Many contradictory messages have been sent to the general public to the point that it is now difficult to see clearly. But the program “Grand Bien Vous Fasse” brings together a panel of experts to take stock.

The egg: a healthy food? Many experts answer

Several experts gathered on the set of Europe Inter will allow to see more clearly. We will find around Ali Rebeihi:

• Boris Hansel endocrinologist-nutritionist at the Bichât hospital in Paris.
• Gérald Kierzek (TipsForWomens) emergency doctor at the Hôtel-Dieu in Paris and medical director of TipsForWomens.
• Florent Quellier specialist in the history of food and plant cultures, professor of modern history at the University of Angers. He is a member of the scientific council of the European Institute of Food History and Cultures and of the editorial board of the journal Food & History.
• Camille Dorioz (foodwatch, tel) agricultural engineer by training specializing in agroecology. In 2019, he joined the foodwatch Europe team.
• Grégory Cohen is a chef and cookery columnist.

Proteins, vitamins, minerals… The contribution of eggs

Eggs are a real source of vitamins and minerals! They are rich in vitamins D, E and K.

But they also contain interesting minerals, such as iron or phosphorus. They are also a source of iodine, a mineral essential for the proper functioning of the thyroid. And they provide selenium, antioxidant par excellence.

Of course, eggs are also a source of protein, which makes them essential for vegetarians. A food that has its place in all menus…

Diabetes, cholesterol… the end of a bad reputation?

In the 1970s, eggs were blamed for raising cholesterol and therefore cardiovascular disease. They have also been linked to the risk of salmonellosis. But at the end of the 1990s, a new study showed that no link could be established between egg consumption and the occurrence of cardiovascular disease, except for people with type 2 diabetes. Here is the rehabilitated egg ! And since then, these results have been confirmed by other studies.

In 2020, Chinese researchers showed that the weekly consumption of several eggs could be linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and death. (More details in our article “Eating between 3 and 6 eggs per week could boost cardiovascular health”).

In February 2023, US researchers found that eating five or more eggs a week had no adverse effect on blood sugar or blood pressure. On the contrary, the egg-loving candidates saw their blood sugar levels improve and their risk of high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes drop (more details in our article “Eating 5 eggs a week would lower your cardiovascular risk”) )

Of course, not all studies are unanimous and most advocate moderation. Thus, in 2020, a study judges that the daily consumption of eggs could increase the risk of diabetes (more details in our article “Diabetes: eating an egg a day would increase your risk”). A year earlier, in January 2019, another study published in the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research showed that blood samples from men who ate an egg every day included certain lipid molecules that were associated with a lower risk of diabetes. .. Suffice to say that it is difficult to have a definite opinion.

One might assume that eggs do not have the same effects on each of us. If you are a fan of an American breakfast (eggs, bacon, sausages…), it’s more the cocktail of fats that will be harmful to your arteries. If you have cardiovascular risks or if you are affected by hypercholesterolemia (induced or familial), moderation will be in order.

The prevention of diabetes and cardiovascular disease requires a global approach to diet and lifestyle. Consumed in moderation, eggs are an interesting source of protein, vitamins and nutrients.

Slide: The egg in 8 cookings