Science has evolved, and two doctors — one focused on global heart health and the other on daily bodily performance — are setting the record straight.
The heart health myth For decades, the case against eggs boiled down to a simple formula: egg yolks contain cholesterol, elevated blood cholesterol causes heart disease, so eating eggs must be bad for your heart.
It revealed a significant negative association between egg consumption and both ischemic heart disease (IHD) incidence and IHD mortality.
Dr Kumar explained, your body doesn't absorb cholesterol the way we once assumed: "Dietary cholesterol does not correlate with blood cholesterol.
“Most modern prospective studies and meta-analyses show that consuming moderate amounts of eggs (up to 1 egg/day) is safe and carries no increased risk of heart disease for healthy adults.
Few breakfast staples have suffered a PR crisis quite like the humble egg. One decade, they’re the gold standard of high-protein morning routines; the next, you’re being warned that eating a single yolk will clog your arteries. Also read | AIIMS-trained gastroenterologist answers 11 questions about eggs: Are they good for losing weight or belly fat?
If you’ve spent years nervously opting for egg whites, top doctors are here to clear the air. Science has evolved, and two doctors — one focused on global heart health and the other on daily bodily performance — are setting the record straight.
The heart health myth For decades, the case against eggs boiled down to a simple formula: egg yolks contain cholesterol, elevated blood cholesterol causes heart disease, so eating eggs must be bad for your heart. On August 28, Dr Sudhir Kumar, a senior neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, shared a reality check on X. Addressing the classic dilemma, he wrote: "Are eggs bad for your heart? The science says otherwise."
He added, "A major global study analysed 28 years of data across 185 countries. It revealed a significant negative association between egg consumption and both ischemic heart disease (IHD) incidence and IHD mortality. In simple terms, higher egg intake across populations was linked to fewer heart attacks and lower cardiac death rates."
Why the drastic shift in medical guidance? Dr Kumar explained, your body doesn't absorb cholesterol the way we once assumed: "Dietary cholesterol does not correlate with blood cholesterol. For most people, dietary cholesterol has a minimal impact on serum LDL levels. Nutrient powerhouse: eggs deliver high-quality protein, lutein, zeaxanthin, and bioavailable vitamins that support overall vascular health and antioxidant defence."
His takeaway for your morning routine? “Most modern prospective studies and meta-analyses show that consuming moderate amounts of eggs (up to 1 egg/day) is safe and carries no increased risk of heart disease for healthy adults. Don't fear the egg, it is one of nature’s most complete foods.” Also read | ‘Stop storing eggs like this’: Food safety officer reveals right way to store them; common mistakes that spoil eggs
