Study: Cholesterol in Eggs Does Not Pose a Risk to Heart Health

For a long time, it was believed that eggs raise cholesterol levels and may be harmful to heart health. However, recent research shows that eggs do not increase levels of harmful LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein). Instead, the key factor appears to be saturated fat in the diet.

A research team that included specialists from RMIT University in Australia examined how eggs and the cholesterol they contain affect LDL levels compared with saturated fats. The results were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

LDL cholesterol is the form typically considered harmful because it can contribute to conditions such as atherosclerosis. Fortunately, there are several effective ways to reduce LDL levels, including dietary adjustments, Planet Today reports.

Certain foods are known to lower harmful LDL cholesterol — for example, a specific type of corn flour can significantly reduce LDL levels.

But the effect of egg consumption on LDL cholesterol has remained controversial. In the new study, researchers conducted controlled dietary experiments to measure how eggs influence cholesterol levels.

One group followed a high-cholesterol, low-fat diet and consumed two eggs per day. The second group adhered to a low-cholesterol, high-fat diet without eggs, and a third group followed a high-cholesterol, high-fat diet while consuming just one egg per week.

The researchers found that cholesterol from eggs did not raise LDL levels — unlike saturated fats in the diet. In fact, participants who consumed a high-cholesterol but low-fat diet even experienced lower LDL levels and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.

“Eggs have long been unfairly criticized due to outdated dietary guidelines. They are unique: high in cholesterol, but low in saturated fat,” emphasized study author Professor John Buckley.

The research shows that cholesterol in eggs, when consumed as part of a diet low in saturated fat, does not increase harmful LDL cholesterol. In reality, it is saturated fat that drives cholesterol levels up.

Thus, when it comes to heart-healthy breakfasts, the problem is not the eggs — it’s the bacon and sausage. For people following a balanced diet with limited fat intake, there is no need to give up eggs. On the contrary, they provide high-quality protein, vitamins, and essential nutrients such as choline, making them a beneficial addition to the diet.

Follow NEWS.am Medicine on Facebook and Twitter