Excess Egg Consumption Increases Risk of Diabetes, Study Shows

An egg is a popular breakfast food all over the world that can be cooked in several different ways. Although they do have health benefits, they could also increase the risk of having Type 2 diabetes.

According to the American Diabetes Association, November is Diabetes Awareness month. Understanding the dietary factors that can contribute to the increase in the risk of having this disease will help people avoid these foods and will lessen the number of people who will acquire diabetes.

China Medical University worked together with Qatar University and conducted a longitudinal study from 1991 to 2009. Their study is the first to assess the relationship between egg consumption and diabetes in a large sample of Chinese adults, Science Daily reported.

The scientists found that people who eat one or more eggs per day or an equivalent of 50 grams are 60% more likely to develop diabetes. In China, 11% of its population has diabetes which is higher than the global average of 8.5%. Indeed, diabetes has become a serious problem in public health in the world.

More Eggs Per Day Increase The Risk of Diabetes

The rise of diabetes is a growing health concern, especially in China where changes in traditional Chinese diet affect health, said epidemiologist and public health expert UniSA's Dr Ming Li.

Moreover, diet is the best-known factor in the onset of Type 2 diabetes that can be modified. So understanding the dietary factors in the development of diabetes is important.

For many decades, China went through a substantial national transition that moved people away from their traditional meal which contains more grains and vegetables to a processed diet that includes a higher amount of meat, snacks, and energy-dose food. Also, egg consumption has doubled in China from 1991 to 2009.

Dr Li said that their study aimed to assess the long-term effects of egg consumption and the increased risk of developing diabetes. They discovered that more than 38 grams of egg per day could increase the risk of developing diabetes by 60% and that its effects are more pronounced in women than in men.

In short, egg consumption is directly proportional to the risk of developing diabetes among Chinese adults. However, more research is needed to explore causal relationships between the two factors.

"To beat diabetes, a multi-faceted approach is needed that not only encompasses research, but also a clear set of guidelines to help inform and guide the public. This study is one step towards that long-term goal," Dr Li said.

Should You Stop Eating Eggs?

According to research and as mentioned above, high levels of egg consumption raises the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, although its relationship is not yet well established. The researchers think that it is due to excessive cholesterol in the egg that might have increased the risks.

Since cholesterol is mostly concentrated in the yolk, eating the white part of the egg is no problem, according to Healthline. But the yolk also contains other essential nutrients like vitamin A, Omega-3, calcium, lutein, and choline. Therefore, eating in moderation is advised.