For most healthy adults, it's safe to eat 1–2 eggs a day depending on how much other cholesterol is in your diet. If you already have high cholesterol or other risk factors for heart disease, it may be best to eat no more than 4–5 eggs per week.
Eating eggs leads to elevated levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), also known as the “good” cholesterol. People who have higher HDL levels have a lower risk of heart disease, stroke and other health issues. According to one study, eating two eggs a day for six weeks increased HDL levels by 10%.
Is it OK to eat eggs every day? Because of their numerous benefits, it's OK to eat one whole egg, including the egg yolk, every day if you don't have cardiovascular disease and you do have a healthy level of blood cholesterol. Or you can mix two egg whites with every egg yolk to give yourself more protein.
Although eggs are nutritious, the egg diet doesn't have enough variety or calories to be considered a healthy or sustainable way of eating. With such restriction, weight regain is likely. You'll also miss out on fiber, calcium, and other essential nutrients by sticking to the egg diet for more than a few days.
Eating eggs, particularly for breakfast, can be an excellent addition to a healthy weight loss diet. Eggs do not aid in weight gain; what aids in weight gain is a caloric surplus. If you consume more eggs than your maintenance calories, you will be in a caloric surplus and will gain weight.
The Egg diet is a low-calorie, low-carb, high-protein eating plan that proponents argue can lead to rapid weight loss without losing muscle mass. The one-week egg diet plan recommends eating only eggs, water, non-sugary beverages, leafy greens, non-starchy vegetables, and whole grains.
Poached Eggs
Based on the goals of getting the most nutrients out of your eggs with the least risk of oxidizing cholesterol, poaching is the number one healthiest way to cook and eat eggs.
The American Heart Association recommends up to one egg a day for most people, fewer for people with high blood cholesterol, especially those with diabetes or who are at risk for heart failure, and up to two eggs a day for older people with normal cholesterol levels and who eat a healthy diet.
A number of studies suggest that about one egg a day has no adverse effect on health outcomes. A study in my lab found that eating two eggs daily for six weeks also had no harmful effects in healthy adults, and we are even seeing similar results in people with high cholesterol.
Weight Loss
Hard-boiled eggs are an excellent source of lean protein. They'll fill you up without packing in too many calories, which is helpful if you want to lose weight.
Side Effects of Eating Mostly Boiled Eggs
Go too low and you may be at risk of constipation. The risk of constipation is especially high if you eat only eggs, as eggs have 0 grams of fiber.
The Bottom Line. Hard-boiled eggs are a low-calorie, nutrient-dense food. They're an excellent source of high-quality protein and rich in B vitamins, zinc, calcium and other important nutrients and antioxidants like choline, lutein and zeaxanthin.
Chicken eggs are an affordable source of protein and other nutrients. They're also naturally high in cholesterol. But the cholesterol in eggs doesn't seem to raise cholesterol levels the way some other foods, such as those high in trans fats and saturated fats, do.
Most healthy people can eat up to seven eggs a week without affecting their heart health. Some choose to eat only the egg white and not the yolk, which provides some protein without the cholesterol.
To summarise, hard-boiled eggs are healthier and safer to eat than soft-boiled eggs. In the case of the soft cooking method, raw egg yolk might raise the risk of salmonella infection. But as per studies, it is not a high risk. Boiled eggs are healthier if you source your eggs organically.
Eggs are also loaded with cholesterol—about 200 milligrams for an average-sized egg. That's more than double the amount in a Big Mac. Fat and cholesterol contribute to heart disease. A 2021 study found that the addition of half an egg per day was associated with more deaths from heart disease, cancer, and all causes.
Soluble fiber can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. Soluble fiber is found in such foods as oatmeal, kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears. Add whey protein. Whey protein, which is found in dairy products, may account for many of the health benefits attributed to dairy.
People with raised cholesterol often wonder if it's OK to eat eggs, as egg yolk is rich in cholesterol. Generally speaking, it should be fine for most people, as the cholesterol in eggs does not have a significant effect on blood cholesterol. It's much more important to limit the amount of saturated fat you eat.
If you have high LDL cholesterol levels, overweight or obesity, a chronic disease like diabetes, or a family history of heart disease, it may be best to eat no more than 1 egg per day or 4–5 eggs per week.
Why the unhealthiest way to cook eggs is to fry them at high heat. Although frying eggs is one of the most popular methods of preparing eggs, it's not necessarily the healthiest method you can choose. That's because oil is high in calories and saturated fats. And butter is one of the worst offenders.
There's no best time to eat eggs. Some people prefer to eat eggs for breakfast because they are a good source of protein and can help to regulate blood sugar levels. Others prefer to eat them later in the day or as part of a post-workout meal because they are a good source of protein and can help to boost metabolism.
The 3 day egg diet, otherwise known as an egg fast, is a diet in which one consumes primarily eggs, butter, and cheese for a short period of time. This temporarily restrictive diet is low-calorie, low-carb, and high-protein and typically results in fat loss mass without losing muscle.
Eggs are a nutritious protein source and a staple in many people's diets. Though they're high in cholesterol, they also have many health-promoting qualities. For healthy adults, eating 1–2 eggs a day appears safe, as long as they're consumed as part of an overall nutritious diet.
In conclusion, the 14-day boiled egg diet can help to trim off unwanted pounds, it is easy to follow, and it includes simple and healthy foods. However, it is still overly restrictive, and you can gain weight once you go back to your regular eating habits.
Egg consumption has no significant effects on systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adults.