Making Egg Yolks the Villain Is a Scam, Doctor Debunks Nutritionists' Claim

Egg yolks are not bad for your health. For years, it has been believed that yolks can be detrimental to your heart health and can lead to high cholesterol levels. However, a senior gastroenterologist has debunked the claim, which he says was popularised by nutritionists, asserting it is one of the most powerful foods. Dr Shubham Vatsya, a senior gastroenterologist and hepatologist at Fortis Hospital, shared on Instagram that egg yolks do not cause heart attacks or strokes. “For years, egg yolks were labelled 'bad for your heart,” but modern science has completely overturned that myth. Your liver makes most of your cholesterol, which means dietary cholesterol from yolks barely affects your levels,” he said.

Are egg yolks connected to your cholesterol levels?

Egg yolks do have cholesterol, but for most healthy people, eating them does not significantly raise blood cholesterol or heart disease risk. Your own liver produces most cholesterol, which is primarily stimulated by saturated and trans fats, not dietary cholesterol. Egg yolks are packed with nutrients like choline, vitamins, and antioxidants, and often improve HDL or good cholesterol, while added foods like bacon or butter with eggs pose a greater risk. Dr Vatsya also highlighted a large-scale study that found no increased risk of heart attack or stroke from consuming one egg daily. “Making egg yolks the villain is the biggest scam run by nutritionists. Your liver produces 80 percent of your body's cholesterol itself. The dietary cholesterol you take from egg yolks hardly affects blood cholesterol,” he said. “A large study of 150,000 people has clearly shown that eating one egg daily does not pose a risk of heart attack or stroke,” Dr Vatsya added.

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How are eggs beneficial for your heart?

Most healthy people can eat up to seven eggs a week without increasing their risk of heart disease. Some studies have shown that this level of egg consumption might even help prevent certain types of stroke and a serious eye condition called macular degeneration that can lead to blindness. Eggs are beneficial for your heart health because they are loaded with nutrients like protein, vitamins, and antioxidants, which lower heart disease risk as part of a balanced diet, rather than being a major driver of bad cholesterol for most people. Additionally, eggs are a valuable source of lecithin, a type of fat rarely found in other foods. Lecithin is a key component in cell structures and brain fluids. According to research, lecithin helps regulate cholesterol levels, prevents cholesterol accumulation, and promotes its elimination from the body. Eggs are also an excellent source of vitamins and minerals beneficial to the body, like iron, zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin K, and more. Notably, eggs contain biotin or vitamin B8, which plays a role in the energy production cycle.

Can you eat eggs if you have coronary artery disease?

Eggs are a highly nutritious and easy-to-prepare food, loaded with nutrients in appropriate and balanced proportions. Those with high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol can still eat eggs in moderation. The recommended frequency for egg consumption in people with high blood pressure or high lipid levels is about twice or three times a week. Additionally, individuals with cardiovascular disease should choose healthy methods of cooking eggs, such as eating them with sandwich bread, in salads, as scrambled eggs, or boiled eggs. It is advisable to limit fried eggs, as this can increase fat intake and exacerbate cardiovascular complications.