Table of contents:
- High cholesterol is the main cause of stroke
- Eating one egg every day can prevent stroke
- Aren't eggs high in cholesterol?
Stroke is one of the non-communicable diseases that causes death in Indonesia. Based on the 2013 Ministry of Health's Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) data, the number of stroke sufferers in Indonesia has reached more than two million. But that doesn't mean strokes can't be prevented. Your risk of developing heart disease and stroke can be controlled by following a healthy and balanced diet and regular exercise. One of the simple diet changes you can make to prevent the risk of this deadly disease is to regularly eat one egg a day. You know, aren't eggs high in cholesterol?
High cholesterol is the main cause of stroke
Among the known risk factors for heart disease, high LDL cholesterol is one of the most important risk factors. Several studies have found that high cholesterol can greatly increase the risk of developing coronary heart disease and stroke.
Diet is a determinant of LDL cholesterol levels in the body, so people are encouraged to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. The American Heart Association recommends the public to consume no more than 300 mg cholesterol every day to minimize the risk of heart disease.
Eating one egg every day can prevent stroke
A study in the United States collected and reviewed several studies from 1982 to 2015 that involved more than 275,000 participants from various countries. Most of the studies reviewed examined the association between the amount of egg consumption and the risk of heart disease and stroke.
The study found that people who ate one egg per day had a 12 percent lower risk of stroke compared to people who ate less than two eggs per week. This reduced risk of stroke affects both types of stroke, namely ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. However, researchers did not find a significant relationship between the amount of egg consumption and the risk of heart disease.
Aren't eggs high in cholesterol?
It is true that chicken eggs are one of the foods that contain high cholesterol, especially in the yolk. One egg yolk contains nearly 186 mg of cholesterol, while the recommended daily limit for cholesterol consumption is 300 mg. Moreover, egg yolk contains phosphatidylcholine which the body will then convert into a compound that can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death.
But on the other hand, eggs also contain many other nutrients, such as minerals, protein, and unsaturated fatty acids that can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Eggs also contain antioxidants that can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, and contain vitamins A, D, and E. Vitamin E has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack and prevent blood clots in arteries.
Even though eggs are high in cholesterol, keep in mind that saturated fat actually plays a much bigger role in increasing cholesterol levels in the body. You are also advised to keep limiting your intake of eggs in a day. The consumption of just two eggs has exceeded the recommended limit, not to mention the cholesterol we get from other foods. Also, balance the consumption of your eggs with other healthy foods, such as vegetables and fruits.
