Eggs are one of the most nutritious and versatile foods. Many people actually only eat the egg white and throw away the yolk. However, this practice may not be the healthiest. In a recent Instagram video, cardiologist and functional medicine specialist Dr. Alok Chopra explained that the egg white itself is actually an “inflammatory protein.” He says that if you eat it alone, it’s not good for your health. “It’s only when the egg is combined with the yolk that it becomes a complete food.”
In the caption, Dr Chopra says that the egg yolk actually contains most of the egg’s nutrients. “Compared to the white, the yolk is significantly higher in vitamin A, E and omega 3 fatty acids.” According to an article published by Houston Methodist Leading Medicine, US, “The egg white is a very low-fat source of protein and can certainly have its place in a person’s diet, but it is not much better nutritionally than the whole egg. You don’t get any fat or cholesterol from the egg white, but the downside is that you also don’t get a lot of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and you get less total protein. This is why, ideally, people should eat the yolk in addition to the egg white.”
But, isn’t egg yolk high in cholesterol?
“The yolk has gotten a bad name because of the cholesterol,” Dr Chopra wrote in the caption. “Contrary to popular belief, cholesterol does not cause heart disease. Cholesterol is also a common misconception. It is actually important for maintaining cell structure, hormone production, brain health and the immune system. Your body produces 85% of its cholesterol independently from your diet. And also, cholesterol has about 16 major functions. So think, if the body makes it on its own, no matter what you eat, how can it be bad for you?”
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Personal coach Arunava Bhattacharya asked in the comments section, “Egg white is pure albumin. On what basis are you calling it an “inflammatory protein” and how does consuming it with egg yolk make it non-inflammatory? Please explain in detail if possible.”
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The doctor’s answer to this question was, in part, “Yes, it has a good amount of protein, which is the only good part of it, but the rest of it causes inflammation, digestive problems, infections from bad gut germs, and biotin deficiency.”
In another comment, the personal trainer added, “And egg yolks are perfectly healthy to eat. Unfortunately, due to the high fat content, they contribute a large number of calories to a person’s diet. So it’s not the egg yolk that’s to blame, but the extra calories a person may be eating, especially if they’re trying to maintain their body weight or lose weight.”
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So now you can enjoy whole eggs for more nutrition, provided you eat them in balanced quantities.
Disclaimer: This content including advice provides general information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.
