Cracking the Myths About Eggs – Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Health

Since the 1970s, dietary guidelines recommend limiting the intake of eggs. That is 2-4 eggs per week or less for people with a history of cardiovascular disease or diabetes. But, according to recent research, dietary cholesterol is not something to worry about. This is because there are no links between cardiovascular disease, blood cholesterol, and cholesterol in the diet. The recent research denies a relationship between higher intake of eggs, elevated risk of type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease, and cholesterol imbalance. Many of these previous studies about the cholesterol and diet-heart hypothesis formed the basis for the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis on the links between the incidence of diabetes type 2 and the consumption of eggs. In these studies, it was pointed out that the consumption of 7 or more eggs every week is connected to a greater prevalence of diabetes type 2. Also, those with diabetes type 2 who are frequent consumers of eggs might have more cardiovascular disease events.

Dutch Researchers and Their Meta-Analysis

From the University of Copenhagen, the Dutch researchers analyzed recent 10-year-old literature about this topic. First, the researchers came to the discovery that there is no consistency or only little between the risk of diabetes type 2 and egg consumption in studies with follow-ups. Also, it was shown that in people with diabetes type 2 and people without diabetes, there is no presence of direct links between coronary artery calcium and egg consumption. This is a marker for atherosclerosis and its development. Among individuals at greater risk for cardiovascular disease, in general, egg consumption is inversely linked to dyslipidemia. Also in some cases, people who consumed eggs when they underwent a coronary angiography had a less visible atherosclerotic plaque.

The Results of Other Studies

When it comes to the influence of eggs on cholesterol levels, a few studies did not find any adverse effects. There are no adverse effects of high (1-3 eggs daily) versus low egg consumption for 1 year. The participants were people with metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and healthy adults. In some cases, there is a higher increase in LDL or total cholesterol. However, this is always accompanied by an increase in HDL cholesterol that seems to persist over time while the LDL and total cholesterol stop rising and the triglycerides stay low.

Conclusion

To sum up, according to recent evidence, the consumption of 2 eggs daily is safe. It is safe because eggs have positive or neutral effects on different risk markers of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Despite their health benefits, eggs might increase satiety. They also constitute healthful alternatives when it comes to harmful foods in the usual, modern diet like sugars, processed meat, and refined sugars. Before making any changes in your usual diet make sure to consult the doctor. Source Diabetes | European Journal of Clinic Nutrition | Jama Network | BMJ