- Are eggs really the enemy of cholesterol?
- An experiment of eggs and more eggs
- More than just eggs: the magic of carbohydrates
- The cholesterol and diet dilemma
Follow Patricia Alegsa on Pinterest!
Are eggs really the enemy of cholesterol?
For years, eggs have been the villains in the cholesterol movie. The World Health Organization recommends not exceeding eight eggs a week. But what if I told you that a Harvard medical student decided to break that rule?
Nick Norwitz took on an epic challenge: 720 eggs in a month. Yes, you read that right! That's 24 eggs a day. Can you imagine breakfast? A true egg festival.
Norwitz is not just an average student; he also has a PhD in brain metabolism. His goal was clear: to investigate whether the cholesterol in eggs really affects our LDL cholesterol levels, the one we all fear for being "the bad" that can clog arteries. So, armed with his knowledge and a large quantity of eggs, he began his experiment.
How many eggs are recommended to eat daily? An experiment of eggs and more eggs
To put it into perspective, each egg contains about 186 mg of cholesterol. If we multiply that by 720, we get the shocking figure of 133,200 mg of cholesterol. Logic suggested that his LDL levels should skyrocket.
But, surprise, surprise: after his epic egg consumption, Norwitz discovered that his LDL levels not only did not increase, but actually decreased by 18%! How is this possible? Do eggs have superpowers?
This is where science comes into play. The human body has its own mechanisms for regulating cholesterol. When we consume dietary cholesterol, it can activate certain receptors in our intestinal cells.
This triggers the release of a hormone called cholesin, which travels to the liver and tells it: “Hey, lower the production of LDL!” So, even though Norwitz devoured a bunch of eggs, his liver did its job and kept LDL levels in check.
The influencer trend of eating eggshells More than just eggs: the magic of carbohydrates
In the first half of his challenge, Norwitz focused on devouring eggs. But in the second part, he decided to add carbohydrates. Why? Because in low-carbohydrate diets, LDL levels can increase.
So, by introducing fruits like bananas and blueberries, his body began to utilize those carbohydrates as a source of energy. The result: an even greater decrease in LDL cholesterol. Take that, cholesterol myth!
Are you surprised? Science sometimes has unexpected twists. This suggests that the impact of dietary cholesterol on blood is not as simple as we thought. Each body reacts differently, and the relationship between what we eat and our cholesterol levels is more complicated than it seems.
The cholesterol and diet dilemma
So, should we open the jar of eggs and start frying? Not so fast. This experiment doesn’t mean we should all dive into an egg diet. Each organism is unique. What worked for Norwitz may not be the solution for everyone.
The important thing to remember is that cholesterol is not the only player in the field of cardiovascular health. The diet should be balanced and varied, not just a feast of eggs. But, hey!, if you love scrambled eggs for breakfast, maybe you can enjoy them with a little less guilt.
So, would you dare to follow in Norwitz's footsteps? Or better yet, how many eggs could you eat in a month without having a heart attack? Let me know your thoughts and maybe we can share a dozen ideas on this topic!
Subscribe to the free weekly horoscope
Aquarius Aries Cancer Capricorn Gemini Leo Libra Pisces Sagittarius Scorpio Taurus Virgo