Why Free-Range Eggs Are Good For You

University of Alberta's press release on eggs:

Research by this university has lead to eggs being described "one of nature's perfect foods."  This flies in the face of previous research that has described eggs as bad for the heart because of their cholesterol content. 

But eggs also contain many beneficial nutrients like vitamins D and E, and  folate, choline, and riboflavin from the B vitamins. Also are necessary minerals like calcium, potassium, and iron, and also  omega-3 fatty acids and  essential amino acids. 

The same researchers from Albert University, in a previous study, showed that there are digestive enzymes that convert egg proteins into peptides. These have the same effect as pharmaceutical ACE inhibitors, which work to lower high blood pressure. The researchers believe  those same peptides also have antioxidant properties.

Their latest research has shown that egg yolks are a very rich source of antioxidants. Their analysis shows that two uncooked yolks contain the same level of antioxidants as an apple. When eggs are cooked their antioxidant level halves. Cooked eggs with  unbroken yolks (e.g. poached or boiled) still contain a high amount of antioxidants. 

The Alberta researchers analysed supermarket standard eggs from chickens that were fed wheat and corn. But other research has shown that the nutritional value of eggs is much greater in organically raised, free-range chickens. In fact, free-range eggs contain 40 per cent more vitamin A, 50 per cent more folate, 70 per cent more vitamin B-12, twice as much vitamin E, and three times the amount of omega-3 than conventionally raised eggs. 

And then there is the safety factor.  A survey by the UK government has shown that eggs from chickens raised in factory farm cages are five times more likely to test positive for salmonella compared to eggs from organic, free-range birds. The Alberta research team did not test free-range eggs. It is almost a given that free-range eggs will have a higher antioxidant content than standard eggs. And that would be great news for our hearts!

Sources: 

Michel Proulx,  (28/06/2011)."Eggs may help prevent heart disease and cancer".University of Alberta. www.ales.ualberta.ca 

Cheryl Long and Umut Newbury. "The Good Egg". Mother Earth News. www.motherearthnews.com 

Peter Shield (02/01/2008)."Salmonella Levels Over 5x Higher in Battery Eggs than Organic". Natural Choices. www.naturalchoices.co.uk