In April 2018 researchers from Korea and the USA published their review of the scientific literature to assess the association between a high egg intake and metabolic syndrome in Korean adults. 26 articles were identified which were associated with egg consumption and metabolic diseases but results were varied. The researchers therefore analysed data from 23,993 Korean adults aged 19 years and older. Results showed that egg consumption of 4-6 times per week and once per day was significantly associated with a reduced incidence of metabolic syndrome when compared to those who consumed eggs less than once monthly. However, consuming two or more eggs per day did not appear to be associated with metabolic syndrome. A further analysis revealed that one egg daily reduced the incidence of abdominal obesity and that 2-7 eggs weekly prevented a reduction in the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels*. The researchers therefore concluded that while consuming eggs 4-7 times weekly is associated with a lower incidence of metabolic syndrome, consuming two or more eggs daily is not associated with a reduced risk.
*High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as the “good” cholesterol because it helps remove other forms of cholesterol from the bloodstream.
Park SJ et al. Association between Egg Consumption and Metabolic Disease. Korean J Food Sci Anim Resour. 2018 Apr;38(2):209-223