Chicken eggs - a staple in the diet of modern man. Eggs are added to cakes and desserts with them prepare appetizers and salads, hot dishes and soups. What are the benefits and harms of this product? Raise if the egg cholesterol in the blood? How many eggs you can eat in a day? These are the questions the scientists are looking for answers.

Composition

The composition comprises egg proteins and fats in approximately equal amounts, and fats contained in the egg yolk and whites -, respectively, in the protein. The amount of carbohydrates is negligible - less than one-half percent.

Eggs are rich in vitamins A, E, D, B6 and B12, and riboflavin, folacin, niacin, thiamine, choline, biotin and pantothenic acid. Many eggs and micronutrients, which include calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, zinc and potassium. Sometimes the eggs further enriched with selenium Selenium in food - in small doses is useful   and iodine, offering chickens special fortified food. Vitamins and minerals are preferably present in the yolk, together with fatty acids and cholesterol. The protein composition: water, protein, glucose, and various enzymes.

Calorie-hundred grams of eggs (about two eggs of medium size) is about 160 calories. This much high-calorie protein yolk - its energy value is 352 kcal. Calories of protein - about 44 calories per hundred grams.

Benefits and harms

The question eggs helpful or harmful, does not give the rest of humanity for many years. On the one hand, the eggs - a source of vitamins and minerals, and protein. In addition, a relatively low-calorie product that is at the same time provides long satiety.

On the other hand, blame the eggs that the product - a strong allergen. In the egg yolks contain large amounts of cholesterol, which can badly affect the cardiovascular system. In addition, poorly digested and eggs are often contaminated with Salmonella. From time to time there are reports in the press about the dangers that lurk under the egg shell, but soon followed by denials of the allegations and the eggs are again becoming popular.

Indeed, eggs, or rather, the egg white - a strong allergen. If the yolks include four-month diet of infants, the protein is not recommended for babies under a year, or even older. Contained in the protein ovomucoid protein often causes intolerance, but it is not a reason to completely rule out the eggs from the diet: egg yolks can be eaten even allergies.

However, egg yolks also not completely harmless, because they in large numbers cholesterol (about 140 mg per yolk). On the dangers of the substance today know, probably all. So many refuse to eggs, or at least from egg yolks, fearing problems with blood vessels.

However, fears are totally groundless: Scientists have proved that the cholesterol contained in the products are not always improves cholesterol levels. In particular, eggs from that point of view practically harmless, because in addition they contain cholesterol and proteins and other substances which prevent its conversion to cholesterol, dangerous for the vessels. At risk are only the elderly and suffering from cardiovascular diseases people. But even they did not counter the yolks - just do not eat them in too large quantities. In addition, doctors do not recommend to combine eggs with animal fats: this combination can actually adversely affect blood cholesterol.

As for the bad digestion of eggs, it only applies to eggs, hard-boiled. Raw eggs, "in the bag" or "scrambled" digested without problems. However, there are raw eggs is not recommended: because they are poorly absorbed (while the boiled egg is absorbed in the 97-98 per cent) and may be contaminated with salmonella.

Insidious salmonella

Salmonellosis - a dangerous intestinal infection caused by the bacteria Salmonella. Contamination of eggs by Salmonella - not uncommon, but the eggs are much less dangerous than the eggs of water birds, ie geese and ducks. Visually distinguished from infected eggs can not be normal, so do not neglect safety measures:

• Wash the egg before use warm water and soap;
• Exposing eggs to heat treatment for at least ten minutes. From the use of raw eggs would have to abstain;
• Do not eat eggs with cracked shells;
• After contact with chicken eggs be sure to wash your hands.

Eggs: the taste and beauty

Eggs are necessary for the preparation of many dishes - from appetizers Low calorie snacks   to desserts. They are part of salads, sauces, soups, pasta dishes, creams and mousses. In addition, eggs are very popular and in-kind - boiled, fried, in omelettes or as eggnog.

Eggs - inexpensive product, which at the same time very useful. If you eat eggs in moderation, they will not harm health. In an average week, doctors recommend eating seven eggs, but in many countries eat more eggs. For example, in Mexico, traditionally eaten during the ten or eleven eggs, and the health of residents of the country it is only in favor. Slightly fewer eggs consumed in Japan.

Actively used eggs in the home of cosmetology. On the basis of the whipped egg whites cook pull-up, cleaning and whitening mask. Naturally, if you are allergic to egg white masks are contraindicated. The yolk is the basis of nourishing masks for the face and body. A wrap of egg yolk with brandy or rum - an ancient method of hair back Hair: structure, characteristics of growth and development   shine.

Maria Bykov

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