Study finds one type of food for breakfast 'reduces heart attack and stroke risk'

Going to work on an egg could stave off a heart attack or stroke, according to research. It boosts metabolism - reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The Egg Marketing Board's famous advertising slogan of the 60s boosted sales across Britain. But they went out of fashion in the following decades after being linked to raising cholesterol.

However, a 2022 study found eating up to one a day increases healthy proteins in the blood. It leads to more 'good' HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol - that strips the 'bad' LDL (low density lipoprotein) type away.

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First author Dr Lang Pan said: "Few studies have looked at the role plasma cholesterol metabolism plays in the association between egg consumption and the risk of cardiovascular diseases. We wanted to help address this gap."

The findings are based on 4,778 people in China - of whom 3,401 had cardiovascular disease. Blood samples showed those who consumed a moderate amount of eggs had greater levels of APOA1 (apolipoprotein A1) - a building-block of 'good cholesterol.'

In particular, they had more large HDL molecules, which help clear the 'bad cholesterol from arteries and blood vessels - protecting against clots and hypertension. This prevents blockages that cut blood flow to major organs - including the heart and brain.

The epidemiologists at Peking University, Beijing, also identified 14 metabolites, or proteins, linked to heart disease. It found participants who ate fewer eggs had lower and higher levels of beneficial and harmful ones, respectively. This was compared to those who had them more regularly.

Professor Canqing Yu said: "Together, our results provide a potential explanation for how eating a moderate amount of eggs can help protect against heart disease."

He added: "More studies are needed to verify the causal roles that lipid metabolites play in the association between egg consumption and the risk of cardiovascular disease."

The researchers used a technique called targeted nuclear magnetic resonance to measure 225 metabolites in plasma - 24 of which were associated with self-reported levels of egg consumption.

Senior author Prof Liming Li said at the time: "This study may also have implications for Chinese national dietary guidelines. Current health guidelines in China suggest eating one egg a day, but data indicate the average consumption is lower. Our work highlights the need for more strategies to encourage moderate egg consumption among the population, to help lower the overall risk of cardiovascular disease."

The results in the journal eLife shed fresh light on a 2018 study of half a million Chinese adults. Those who ate about one egg a day were much less likely to develop cardiovascular disease. They add to a growing body of evidence that eggs really should be regarded as a 'superfood'.

The NHS advises they are a good choice as part of a healthy, balanced diet. The British Heart Foundation has said eating them should no longer be seen as a health risk.