Eggs: "they raise cholesterol and cause heart attacks".
As forwarded
"Egg yolk is pure cholesterol. Stop eating eggs to avoid a heart attack."
Recurring text forward. Specific Indian version with URL and reach: not available. Reach not available
Verdict
For most people, up to one egg a day is not linked to heart disease; eggs do contain cholesterol, and people with diabetes or high cholesterol should ask their doctor how many suit them.
What the evidence says
Three large US cohorts followed for up to 32 years, plus an updated meta-analysis of about 1.7 million people, found that up to one egg a day was not associated with cardiovascular disease overall. [S1]
The same analysis found a slightly lower risk in Asian cohorts, which the authors say may reflect overall diet; results for people with type 2 diabetes were less certain. [S1]
The evidence is not one-sided: some large studies have linked higher egg and dietary cholesterol intake with higher risk, and much higher cholesterol intake can raise LDL ("bad") cholesterol. Overall diet matters more than any single food. [S1]
How this verdict was reached
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The forward
Taken exactly as it circulates, not as a summary of it.
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The evidence
1 source from the four tiers, strongest first.
- Tier 1 · 1
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The line
Nothing below tier 4 is counted; every source here is graded.
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The verdict
Exaggerated Every evidence sentence above links to its source. Not reviewed by a doctor; a sourced guide, not medical advice.
What to do instead
For most healthy people, an egg a day fits a balanced diet.
If you have diabetes, high cholesterol or heart disease, ask your doctor how many eggs suit you.
Focus on the whole diet: vegetables, fruit, whole grains, pulses and less fried food.
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Sources
- S1Drouin-Chartier JP et al. Egg consumption and risk of cardiovascular disease: three large prospective US cohort studies, systematic review, and updated meta-analysis. BMJ 2020;368:m513.Tier 1
bmj.com/content/368/bmj.m513
Tiers are as graded in the research file; where the file left a source ungraded, the editor graded it against the four tiers. "Circulation only" sources document that a claim circulates and are never cited as evidence. Where a primary paper could not be opened, the page says so in the Honest note.
Reviewed by
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