Eating raw eggs, healthy or even dangerous?

Eggs are one of the most common daily foods. Some people regularly add eggs to drinks for extra protein. In addition, you can find eggs in a raw, raw state, among others, in drinks, cream in cakes, mayonnaise, and dressings for salads. . However, that doesn't mean you can just eat raw eggs carelessly. Here are some of the risks of eating raw eggs that need to be considered.

Are there any benefits of eating raw eggs?

For cooking cakes, sauces, or creams, raw eggs are needed to bind the dough. Eggs can also make the dough softer, thicker, and fluffy. However, certain dough will not be cooked or heated again, so the eggs that have been mixed in the dough remain raw when served.

Various types of drinks are also served with a mixture of raw eggs, for example milk with a mixture of raw eggs, honey and ginger. Many bodybuilders also drink raw egg mixed in protein shakes they. Drinking raw eggs is believed to help men get in shape and increase stamina.

Unlike eggs that have been cooked until cooked or half cooked, raw eggs offer a variety of important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, good fats, and maximum antioxidants.

In their raw state, the levels of these nutrients are higher. Heating and cooking eggs risks reducing levels of vitamins A, B5 and potassium. This is what provokes many people to drink or eat raw eggs.

The risks of eating raw eggs need to be considered

Despite its benefits, consuming raw eggs has health risks, including:

Egg protein absorption is not optimal

Many people believe that raw eggs can raise your protein levels faster than cooked eggs. In fact, eating raw eggs is not the right answer for those of you who want to increase protein intake.

A deep research International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition 2004 revealed that humans actually absorb more protein than ripe eggs. In its raw state, only 50% of the protein can be absorbed in the body. Meanwhile, when the eggs are cooked, the protein that the body can absorb can reach 90%.

Similar findings were also confirmed by American Institute of Nutrition in The Journal of Nutrition. So, even though eggs are a rich source of protein, cooking them thoroughly is the best way to get maximum protein.

Raw egg whites interfere with absorption biotin

Biotin also known as water-soluble vitamin B7. This vitamin is needed by the body in the process of metabolism and digestion of sugar in the blood. For pregnant women, this vitamin is important for fetal growth. Biotin is mostly found in egg yolks.

Unfortunately, raw egg whites can interfere with the absorption of biotin in the body. Egg white contains a protein called avidin which traps biotin. As a result, your body cannot digest and break down this vitamin properly. Avidin will only disintegrate when heated, that is, when the eggs are cooked. So if you eat raw eggs, you will not get biotin intake.

Raw eggs put you at risk for contracting a bacterial infection Salmonella

The biggest risk of eating raw eggs is being infected with bacteria Salmonella. The bacteria that live in various animal products such as milk, eggs and meat can invade the human body and cause infection.

These bacteria attach to egg shells and live in raw eggs. Eating raw eggs is one of the most common causes of bacterial infections Salmonella. Other causes of bacterial infection are eating raw meat and contracting them from pets. However, Salmonella can not stand the heat so that if it is cooked until cooked, these bacteria will die.

If infected, you will show symptoms within 6 to 72 hours of eating raw eggs. Symptoms include stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea, dehydration, fever, and headaches. This condition can last anywhere from 4 to 7 days. Usually this bacterial infection can be treated by relieving symptoms at home. In some cases, people who lose fluids due to severe diarrhea have to be hospitalized.

Bacterial infection cases Salmonella it is not as common as it was in the 1990s. This is because now the pasteurization technique has been widely applied to various animal products. So, if you do have to drink or eat raw eggs, be sure to choose eggs that have been pasteurized.

In addition, there are certain groups that are more susceptible to infection Salmonella. This group includes children, the elderly, people with immune system disorders, and pregnant women. If you or your family members fall into this group, you should avoid consuming raw eggs.