Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, M.D.

Most healthy people can eat up to seven eggs a week without increasing their risk of heart disease. Some studies have shown that this level of egg consumption might even help prevent certain types of strokes and a serious eye condition called macular degeneration that can lead to blindness.

But if you have diabetes, some research suggests that eating seven eggs a week increases heart disease risk. However, other research failed to find the same connection. Still other research suggests that eating eggs might increase the risk of developing diabetes in the first place. More research is needed to figure out the link between eggs, diabetes and heart disease.

Health experts now suggest eating as little dietary cholesterol as possible, aiming to keep intake under 300 milligrams (mg) daily. One large egg has about 186 mg of cholesterol — all found in the yolk. If your diet contains little other cholesterol, according to some studies, eating up to an egg a day might be an OK choice.

If you like eggs but don’t want the cholesterol, use only the egg whites. Egg whites contain no cholesterol but still contain protein. You can also use cholesterol-free egg substitutes, which are made with egg whites.

Here are some key points:

• Dietary Cholesterol vs. Blood Cholesterol: The cholesterol in eggs doesn’t necessarily translate to higher blood cholesterol levels for most people.
• Moderation is Key: Eating up to one egg per day is generally considered safe and doesn’t increase the risk of heart disease in most people.
• Overall Diet Matters: It’s important to consider your entire diet. Foods high in saturated and trans fats, like bacon or sausage often eaten with eggs, significantly impact cholesterol levels.

So, unless you have specific dietary restrictions or a high risk of heart disease, enjoying eggs in moderation can be part of a healthy diet.

Do you have any other questions about diet or health?