Page 39 - BBC - The Scientific Guide to a Healthier You

DIET

EGGS

There’s A few years ago we were being
told by nutritionists not to eat
little evidence more than a few eggs a week on

that diet soft the grounds that eggs contain
cholesterol and cholesterol is
drinks actually help bad for you. At the time, it was

people lose widely believed that elevated
cholesterol in our blood is
weight caused by cholesterol in our

food. In fact, most of the excess
DIET DRINKS cholesterol in our blood is

produced by the liver and is a
Even if the label on the bottle says sugar-free, research suggests response to eating too much
you shouldn’t be fooled into thinking it’s any better for your saturated fat. A meta-analysis
waistline than a standard version. Health commentators argue of 17 studies published in the BMJ
there is little evidence that ‘diet drinks’ containing artificial in 2013 concluded that “higher
sweeteners actually help people lose weight and therefore consumption of eggs is not
should not be recommended as part of a healthy diet. In fact, associated with increased risk
many existing systematic reviews promoting the health benefits of coronary heart disease or
of diet drinks are sponsored by the soft drinks industry itself and stroke”. Whether scrambled,
are therefore unreliable. boiled or poached, eggs are a
According to a review by Imperial College London, these diet superb source of protein, are
drinks stimulate sweet taste receptors, potentially encouraging us rich in vitamins and minerals
to eat food as compensation. Psychologically, we might be more and make a great start to
inclined to treat ourselves to something unhealthy, as we’ve had a the day.
‘good’ low-calorie drink.
VERDICT: As long as you’re not
VERDICT: Stick to water rather than soft drinks frying them or smothering them
and your body (and wallet) will thank you. in fat, eggs are an excellent

choice for breakfast. 5

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BBC SCIENCE FOCUS MAGAZINE COLLECTION 39