Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Do You Know These Surprising Benefits of Eating Eggs?

Check out these benefits of eating eggs.

Weight Loss
  • There have been some studies that show that eating eggs can be a great help in losing weight. One study by the Rochester Center for Obesity Research discovered that a breakfast of eggs helps to reduce calorie intake for the day by at least 400 calories. One possible reason for this is that with an egg breakfast you don't get hungry so soon, thereby avoiding the trap of snacking on junk food during the day.

  • Another study from Louisiana State University compared the weight loss results of women who had 2 eggs for breakfast with women who ate a bagel breakfast of similar calories. Over an eight week period the women having 2 eggs for breakfast lost 65% more weight and had an 83% greater reduction in waist circumference. They also reported greater improvements in their energy levels.
Breast Cancer Protection
  • Another interesting piece of research discovered that women who ate at least six eggs each week reduced their risk of getting breast cancer by 44% compared to women who ate two eggs or less each week.
Eyes, Skin and Hair
  • Egg yolks contain the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. These antioxidants are better absorbed by the body when they come from eggs rather than vegetables. They protect the eyes from ultraviolet rays, help guard against macular degeneration and may also help to lower the risk of developing cataracts.

  • The high sulphur content along with the large variety of vitamins and minerals found in eggs help hair and nails to be stronger and healthier.
Eggs have long been one of my favorite staples. My most common breakfast is 2 eggs on toast. With all the good things about eggs I don't plan on changing that any time soon.

Enjoy your food
Jocelyn

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

3 Types of Nutrients found in Eggs

Eggs are one of nature’s powerhouse. As well as being packed with essential nutrients they are also economical. For the nutrients in them they are one of the cheapest packages available in the supermarket.

  1. Protein – A medium egg has about 6.5 grams of protein but only 70 – 85 calories. That makes it easy to get protein in a low calorie way.
  2. Vitamins – Some of the essential vitamins in an egg include:
    Vitamin B2 - needs to be obtained each day, cannot be stored.
    Vitamin B12 – needed for the brain and nervous system and metabolism
    Choline – part of the B group of vitamins. Essential for the brain.
    Vitamin A – Only found in the yolk and needed for eyes, skin, bones, immune function
    Vitamin D – One of the few food sources, only in the yolk.
    Vitamin E – Only found in the yolk. It is an antioxidant

  3. Minerals – Minerals are vital and must be obtained from our food. Amongst others these will be found in eggs:
    Iron – Necessary for the blood
    Zinc – Only found in the yolk and needed for growth, sexual function and immune system.
    Phosphorus – Required by every cell in the body
    Magnesium -
    Iodine – needed for the thyroid
    Selenium – an antioxidant

This short list is not by any means the total list of nutrients found in eggs. They do in fact contain almost every essential vitamin and mineral that is needed. Vitamin C is about the only vitamin not found in eggs.

Enjoy your eggs as they are packed full of goodness and will help you in your efforts to maintain a healthy diet.

Jocelyn