Eggs are a versatile ingredient. You can find eggs in many types of dishes, from soups to salads, meat and fish dishes, and even desserts. Eggs, long known to be a good source of protein, have been discovered to improve blood lipids that aid in people with metabolic syndrome and improve weight management.

Dr. Maria Luz Fernandez, Professor at the University of Connecticut led the team for the study which was published in the medical journal Metabolism and posted at MedicalNewsToday.com. The study involved male and female participants who had metabolic syndrome--a common condition that usually has symptoms of low HDL cholesterol, high triglycerides, large waistlines, increased blood sugar levels, and high blood pressure.

One half of the participants was given a diet that included three whole eggs, while the other group ate the same amount of egg substitutes.. Other than the eggs, both groups’ diet followed the same carbohydrate-restricted regimen to promote weight loss.

The group that ate the whole eggs showed a marked improvement of their HDL cholesterol levels, a type of “good cholesterol,” while having no impact of LDL cholesterol and their total blood cholesterol profiles, despite having eaten twice the amount of cholesterol because of the eggs. Both groups also had a decrease in triglycerides and improved lipid profiles.

Eggs contain 13 essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin D and chlorine and are rich in protein. Research has shown that consuming a large egg along with your breakfast keeps you fuller longer, decreasing the amount of food you consume throughout the day, which may lead to a reduction in body mass index and your waistline. Together with mild exercise, a healthy diet with eggs can go a long way in keep your weight and overall health in check.

(Photo by Brenda Gottsabend via Flickr Creative Commons)