Now that Easter is over, you may still have a basketful of dyed eggs left in your refrigerator. Take heart — that colorful collection is packed with powerful nutrition. You may just discover the egg truly is an incredible edible.Hard-Boiled Heart Helpers
For years, eggs got a bad rap for contributing to high cholesterol. But while eggs do contain cholesterol, more recent studies show eating one egg a day doesn’t increase the risk for coronary artery disease or stroke among healthy adults. In fact, eating eggs may help lower blood pressure, a significant risk factor in heart disease. Saturated and trans fats in your diet have a much bigger impact on cholesterol levels than eggs.
Cracking Open Nutrient Nirvana
Eggs are excellent sources of many important nutrients, including all nine essential amino acids, healthy unsaturated fats, and 13 essential vitamins and minerals, such as iron, riboflavin, folate, selenium, and vitamins B12, D and E. They also are a potent source of choline.
Research shows only about 10 percent of pregnant women, women, men and older children eat the daily recommended amounts of choline. Yet this nutrient is essential for normal functioning of all cells, including those involved with metabolism, brain and nerve function, and memory. Choline also helps cells transport other nutrients throughout the body, and it promotes fetal brain development. Two eggs provide about 250 milligrams of choline, which is about half of the recommended daily intake for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
In addition, the choline in eggs is a key player in breaking down homocysteine in the blood. Homocysteine has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
Eggs also contain the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which can help prevent macular degeneration, a leading cause of age-related blindness.
Poached Protein Power
Cracking in at just 70 calories, each egg provides 6 grams of high-quality protein — half of which is in the yolk. (This is 12 percent of the recommended daily value for protein.) This protein helps you stay fuller longer. Research even shows a breakfast of eggs can reduce your total daily calorie intake by preventing snacking in between meals. In addition, eggs’ high-quality protein helps you build and maintain muscle. Eating eggs after exercise can even encourage muscle tissue repair and growth.
Crack and Shake It
An eggscellent breakfast idea to fuel your day is pairing a poached egg with a nutrition-packed Reliv shake on the side. You’ll be well on your way to meeting your body’s nutritional needs for optimal health.
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