Eggs “Chicken eggs” have been a favorite breakfast food for hundreds of years. Today, people from all cultures around the world incorporate eggs into their morning diet. But one thing about “Egg Lovers,” they want their favorite egg dishes prepared—just the way they like it. 

BY: GUY JABBAR

These “breakfast enthusiasts” prefer their eggs: hard-boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, eggs benedict, poached eggs, omelets, and for those who like to entertain guests serve deviled eggs at their private events.

“Eggs are not just considered a breakfast food, but a “Superfood!”

Eggs are one of the most versatile and nutritious foods available and they have been an essential in human diets for thousands of years. This “Superfood” is rich in protein, vitamins and minerals that provide a wide–-range of health benefits.

Aging can be a difficult transition for most of us, but there’s ways to prolong this process. Eating eggs every day after the age of 50 can offer a variety of benefits that support healthy Aging. Here’s 5 benefits of eating eggs every day after the age of 50:

  1. INCREASING MUSCLE MASS and STRENGTH 

As we age our muscles gradually become weaker and we lose muscle mass. This condition is called sarcopenia—and it affects a significant number of older adults. 

According to medical professionals, Sarcopenia is a progressive and generalized skeletal muscle disorder involving the accelerated loss of muscle mass and function. 

The most common symptom of sarcopenia is muscle weakness. Other symptoms may include, based on Cleveland Clinic findings:

  • Loss of stamina
  • Difficulty performing daily activities
  • Walking slowly
  • Trouble climbing stairs
  • Poor balance and falls
  • Decrease in muscle size

Recent studies show this condition ranges from 5% to 13% in people ages 60 and older. The estimates increase to 11% to 50% in people ages 80 and older. 

One of the best ways to combat sarcopenia is through resistance training (exercising using weights), and a high protein diet—which includes eggs, beans, fish, lean chicken, pork, beef, and more. 

Eggs are an excellent source of high-quality protein containing all nine essential amino acids necessary for muscle growth and repairs.

Nine essential amino acids include: Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, and Valine.

In fact, one large egg contains approximately 6 grams of protein making it an ideal food for maintaining and building muscle mass. 

Eating eggs every day can also help increase muscle strength. Studies have shown that older adults who consume a protein-rich diet including eggs, experience significant improvements in muscle strength and function compared to those who do not.

NOTE: Eggs are among the most nutritious foods on the planet, containing a little bit of almost every nutrient you need. This Omega-3 enrich contains more of certain nutrients. 

  1. REDUCING ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE RISK 

Another significant benefit of eating eggs every day after the age of 50, is that they may help to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is a common and devastating form of dementia that affects your memory, thinking, and behavior. 

This progressive brain disorder affects millions of people worldwide. In the United States only, there’s more than 3 million cases found each year.

It is characterized by memory loss, cognitive decline, and a large range of other symptoms that can severely impact a person’s quality of Life. According to CDC studies, there’s 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s disease:

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life: forgetting events, repeating yourself or relying on more aids to help you remember (like sticky notes or reminders).

2. Challenges in planning or solving problems: having trouble paying bills or cooking recipes you have used for years.

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure: having problems with cooking, driving places, using a cell phone, or shopping.

4. Confusion with time or place: having trouble understanding an event that is happening later, or losing track of dates.

5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relations: having more difficulty with balance or judging distance, tripping over things at home, or spilling or dropping things more often.

6. New problems with words in speaking or writing: having trouble following or joining a conversation or struggling to find a word you’re looking for (saying “that thing on your wrist that tells time” instead of “watch”).

7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps: placing car keys in the washer or dryer or not being able to retrace steps to find something.

8. Decreased or poor judgment: being a victim of a scam, not managing money well, paying less attention to hygiene, or having trouble taking care of a pet.

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities: not wanting to go to church or other activities as you usually do, not being able to follow football games or keep up with what’s happening.

10. Changes in mood and personality: getting easily upset in common situations or being fearful or suspicious.

Photo: What Happens When You Eat Eggs Every Day/Kristina Papp

Eggs are a good source of choline, which is a vital nutrient that plays a critical role in promoting brain health.

Choline is involved in the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is important for memory and cognitive function, by providing the brain with the nutrients it needs to function.

NOTE: Neurotransmitters are your body’s chemical messengers. They carry messages from one nerve cell across a space to the next nerve, muscle or gland cell. These messages help you move your limbs, feel sensations, keep your heart beating, and take in and respond to all information your body receives from other internal parts of your body and your environment.

3. SUPPORTING BONE HEALTH 

Another benefit of eating eggs every day after the age of 50, is that they can help to support bone Health. As we age our bones become more brittle and prone to fractures–which can be a significant source of pain and disability. 

Eating eggs can help to reduce the risk of osteoporosis, a condition characterized by low bone density and increased fracture risk that affects more than 3 million people in the U.S. every year.

This bone–weakening condition is often called “A Silent Bone Breaker,” by medical practitioners.

Eggs are an excellent source of vitamin D, which is a nutrient that is essential for bone health. Vitamin D helps the body to absorb calcium, which is the primary mineral that makes up our bones—by providing the body with adequate vitamin D. 

Eggs can help to ensure that the bones remain strong and healthy, reducing the risk of fractures and other bone related conditions. 

  1. EYE HEALTH PROTECTION

Eggs are also beneficial for maintaining Eye Health, which is particularly important as we age. As we get older our eyes become more susceptible to a range of age-related conditions, including macular degeneration and cataracts

These conditions can significantly impact a person’s vision and quality of Life. Eggs also contain lutein and zeaxanthin—two antioxidants that are particularly beneficial for Eye Health.

These antioxidants help to protect the eyes from damage caused by free radicals, which can contribute to the development of age-related eye conditions. 

By consuming eggs regularly, older adults can help to maintain their eye health and reduce their risk of developing vision problems later in life. 

  1. REDUCING HEART DISEASE RISK

Eating eggs every day after the age of 50, may help to reduce the risk of heart disease which is a leading cause of death Worldwide. Eggs have been unfairly demonized in the past due to their high cholesterol content. 

However, research has shown that consuming eggs does not significantly raise blood cholesterol levels in most people.

In fact, some studies have suggested that eating eggs may ACTUALLY be beneficial for heart health. 

Eggs are a rich source of nutrients that are beneficial for heart health including: Omega-3 fatty acids proteins, vitamins B12, and vitamin D. 

Additionally, eggs contain choline—which has been shown to help reduce inflammation in the body—a key risk factor for heart disease. 

As we age however, it is important to note that individuals with certain health conditions such as high cholesterol should consult with their doctor or nutritionist before increasing their egg consumption.

Bottom Line

Eggs are nature’s gift to mankind. This “Superfood” has provided the necessary proteins, vitamins and nutrients for the human body for thousands of years.

So, if you’re lacking any of these essential elements that your body desperately requires, then you should consider incorporating more eggs into your daily diet to improve your overall health and well-being. That is, if you’re not allergic in any way.

More post from Universial Health: