The eggs are generally appreciated by young and old. But if they contain vitamins, they are accused also increase cholesterol and other inconveniences. So can you eat an omelet without risk? Pregnant women, seniors, children ... discover your profile depending on the advantages and disadvantages of these products.
According to different periods of life, the eggs do not offer the same advantages and disadvantages. A short guide ...
Pregnant women
Advantages: Eggs are a good food, which will cover your needs for energy and protein. In addition, it will bring iron, essential mineral during pregnancy. Finally, it contains vitamin A is important for fetal growth.
Precautions: Caution during pregnancy, avoid eating raw foods of animal origin. This also applies to the eggs! Anyway, they are not very digestible if they are not cooked. (And with respect to the mayonnaise and other creams, take only very fresh eggs to prepare them). Keep your eggs in the refrigerator, do not eat egg cracked and do not wash them before using them. Instead, wash your hands after handling or broken. Some even advise to avoid breaking the eggs on the edge of the container used to prepare!
Seniors
Advantages: Eggs are an excellent food to keep muscle toning! Indeed, it provides protein. In addition, vitamin D will promote calcium absorption, to preserve the bones. Finally, the iron contained in eggs prevent anemia and fatigue. In addition, the egg contains natural pigments, lutein and zeaxanthin that protect vision, especially in fighting against macular degeneration age-related.
Disadvantages: Avoid raw eggs, hard to digest.
Children
Advantages: Eggs are a good source of protein, which will participate in the production and skeletal muscle. They are also a source of phosphorus for the brain. Not to mention vitamin D, bones, and vitamin A for the eyes.
Disadvantage: The eggs are a major source of allergy in infants. Therefore it is imperative not to introduce them into power before the age of one year. Fortunately, allergies to egg disappear most of the time growing up. Warning allergenicity does not disappear with cooking: if you have an allergic child, we must eliminate all contact with the food, raw or cooked (difficult, because many processed products contain egg).
Cholesterol problems
Certainly, the egg, with brains, one of the foods richest in cholesterol. However, excess cholesterol that can be found in the arteries is produced for three quarters by the liver. Dietary cholesterol has little direct role in hypercholesterolemia. However, the diet has an indirect role, since a high fat diet, low in fruits and vegetables can lead to cardiovascular problems and raise bad cholesterol. Eating eggs does not a priori increase cholesterol problems. Indeed, paradoxically, the consumption of eggs enriched with omega-3 would reduce the bad cholesterol! It is therefore especially important to balance your diet (read our article on this Cholesterol: the importance of diet)
In people already suffering from high cholesterol, however, it is still advisable to limit consumption to two or maximum three eggs a week. And in case of severe hypercholesterolemia, the eggs can be totally banned. In any case, always ask your doctor.