Although they don’t wear capes, perform amazing feats, or star in Marvel movies, in recent years, superfoods have garnered national attention and acclaim. Generally, they are defined as foods that are very good for your health, with the Macmillan Dictionary adding that they can “help some medical conditions” and the Oxford Dictionary stating that they are nutrient-rich foods that are “especially beneficial for health and well-being.” An official, undisputed list of superfoods does not exist, which is why people are so frequently asking if this or that food is a superfood. For example, are eggs a superfood?
Are Eggs a Superfood?
On Superfoods
Because superfoods are so elusive and vague, we have a few more things to discuss before answering the question, “Are eggs a superfood?”
First, it is important to note that the term superfood is a marketing tool, so you won’t typically hear it in the office of a dietitian or nutrition scientist. It is used to promote many raw foods, like fruits and vegetables, as well as products that contain these raw foods. The naming of superfoods doesn’t have a scientific basis but has instead been embraced and popularized by the media to refer generally to foods that have health-promoting properties. A food might be deemed super, for example, if it can reduce a person’s risk of disease or improve their physical or emotional health. For this reason, many superfoods are chock-full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Common examples of foods that are deemed “super” include blueberries, kale, spinach, broccoli, oats, pumpkin, salmon, and walnuts. Although you shouldn’t rely on superfoods to stay in good health, many so-called superfoods would make an excellent addition to a completed and well-balanced diet.
Are Eggs a Superfood?
Since the term superfood is a marketing tool, we cannot definitively say whether eggs are a superfood or not. However, we can decide whether or not they ought to receive the subjective title based on their nutrient content and health benefits:
- Eggs are chock-full of protein and contain all of the amino acids our bodies (and our pets’ bodies) need to function properly. They can increase our muscle mass, boost our energy levels, and create new living cells throughout our bodies.
- According to a 2011 study conducted by Cambridge University, eggs proteins can help consumers stay awake and alert throughout the day (source). These proteins, found in egg whites, stimulate orexin-hypocretin neurons more than other nutrients.
- Because their yolks contain the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, eggs can support your eye health. Lutein and zeaxanthin can help protectyour eyes against high-energy lightwaves like UV rays and sunlight, and they can protect against eye-related diseases like cataracts and macular degeneration.
- Although large eggs contain just 77 calories each, they can make you feel fuller and cause you to eat fewer calories overall. For this reason, eggs can help with weight control. They are an excellent dietary option whether you’re hoping to lose weight or working to maintain your current weight.
- Eggs are easily digested. In fact, they have the benchmark biological value (BV) for all other any protein sources. This means that a very high proportion of their protein content is absorbed, used, and appreciated by organisms’ bodies instead of wasted.
- From B2 and B12 to A and E, eggs are packed with beneficial vitamins and minerals. These components can regulate your nervous system, fight free radicals, give you energy, support your adrenal function, and more. Eggs are also a rich source of vitamin D, selenium, iron, phosphorous, and choline.
Some may point to the high cholesterol content of eggs as a reason why they should not be considered a superfood, but it is important to remember that eggs raise your good (HDL) cholesterol. The uproar about eggs and cholesterol in years past was misguided (source). Yes, eggs are high in cholesterol, but they do not have a major impact on your blood cholesterol levels. Moderate egg consumption isn’t dangerous, and if you’re concerned about cholesterol, you should focus more on eliminating fats in your diet (source). Although your doctor may advise you to avoid eating egg yolks if you have high cholesterol, this should not be a concern for everyone. For most people, eating an egg (or two) a day will not increase your risk of heart disease and so can be embraced as a part of a healthy diet.
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So are eggs a superfood? Packed with protein, teeming with nutrients, and benefiting your body as a whole with their rich amino acid content, eggs are undoubtedly worthy of the title superfood (but we’re also biased, of course!). Although it is just a marketing tool, if any food deserves to be classified as a superfood, eggs should receive the honor. Despite being low in calories, they are nutrient-dense and a fantastic source of protein. When you consider their origin, it should come as no surprise that eggs are powerfully nutritious. After all, they are composed to contain all of the nutrients and buildings blocks needed to grow a healthy baby chicken. At every stage of life, they are an ideal food.
In fact, they aren’t just beneficial for humans. Eggs are also a superfood for pets due to many of the same advantages we listed above – high protein content, digestibility, numerous nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and more. So whether you’re purchasing your dog’s dinner or manufacturing a pet food, don’t forget about eggs.
Finally, if your company is interested in purchasing dried egg products for pet food, check out IsoNova. Our pet food products are researched, developed, and manufactured through a joint venture utilizing the advanced technologies and insights of Rembrandt Enterprises, Inc. (REI) and the expertise and premium raw materials of American Dehydrated Foods (ADF). By isolating the components of the egg, we are able to give our customers the high-quality and nutritional ingredients they desire. To learn more about our products, please give us a call at 888-304-5849 or click here to contact us online. We look forward to hearing from you!
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