Eggs have long been linked with concerns about heart health and cardiovascular disease given their cholestoral content.

However, new reasearch from the University of South Australia suggests they could be egg-sactly what your body needs after researchers found that it’s not dietary cholesterol in eggs but the saturated fat in our diets that’s the real heart health concern.

In a world-first study, researchers examined the independent effects of dietary cholesterol and saturated fat on LDL cholesterol – the “bad” kind associated with heart disease. They discovered that eating two eggs a day, as part of a diet high in cholesterol but low in saturated fat, can actually reduce LDL levels and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

CVD remains the leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for nearly 18 million deaths each year. In Australia, one person dies from CVD every 12 minutes, accounting for one in four of deaths nationwide.

Lead researcher, UniSA’s Professor Jon Buckley, says it’s time to rethink the reputation of eggs.

“Eggs have long been unfairly cracked by outdated dietary advice,” Prof Buckley says.

“They’re unique – high in cholesterol, yes, but low in saturated fat. Yet it’s their cholesterol level that has often caused people to question their place in a healthy diet.

“In this study, we separated the effects of cholesterol and saturated fat, finding that high dietary cholesterol from eggs, when eaten as part of a low saturated fat diet, does not raise bad cholesterol levels.

“Instead, it was the saturated fat that was the real driver of cholesterol elevation.

“You could say we’ve delivered hard-boiled evidence in defence of the humble egg.

“So, when it comes to a cooked breakfast, it’s not the eggs you need to worry about – it’s the extra serve of bacon or the side of sausage that’s more likely to impact your heart health.”

This new research builds on a growing body of evidence suggesting that eggs, when eaten as part of a balanced diet, are far from the villains they were once believed to be.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.