The Secret of Eggs: Breaking Misconceptions and Finding the Truth

Dear readers of Science Popularization China, have you ever been troubled about how to choose fresh eggs? Have you ever fallen into various misunderstandings about eggs? Today, let us uncover the mystery of eggs, break those unnecessary misunderstandings, and explore the truth behind eggs.

Myth 1: Eggs have the same nutritional value no matter how you eat them

Hey, guys, stop being naive! There is a lot to know about how to eat eggs. From the perspective of nutrient absorption and digestibility, boiled eggs are the best choice, which can reach 100%! However, the absorption and digestibility of those eating methods such as tender-fried, scrambled eggs, and deep-fried eggs are greatly reduced. Imagine a perfect boiled egg, chewing it slowly in your mouth, and the nutrients will be easily absorbed by the body. So, next time you eat eggs, remember to choose the right way to eat them!

Myth 2: The longer you boil eggs, the better

Oh my, this is a big misunderstanding! If you cook eggs for too long, the ferrous ions in the yolk will combine with the sulfide ions in the egg white to form ferrous sulfide, which is difficult to digest. In addition, if you fry eggs too long, the high-molecular protein in the egg white will turn into low-molecular amino acids, which will turn into unhealthy chemicals at high temperatures. Therefore, it is best to boil eggs in cold water, and cook them for 5 minutes after the water boils. This way, the eggs will be a little runny, and the nutrients are most easily absorbed by the body.

Myth 3: Free range eggs are more nutritious than regular eggs

This misunderstanding is really deeply rooted in people's minds! People generally believe that free-range eggs are more nutritious than ordinary eggs. In fact, the nutritional value is not much different. The reason why people think free-range eggs are more delicious and nutritious is actually because free-range eggs have a higher fat content and taste more fragrant and delicious. So, next time you buy eggs, don't forget that the nutritional value of free-range eggs is about the same as that of ordinary eggs!

Myth 4: The yellower the egg yolk, the better the nutritional value

This misunderstanding is really ridiculous! The color of the egg yolk is not necessarily related to the nutritional value. Under normal circumstances, eggs with darker yolks are slightly more nutritious, mainly because the yolks contain higher levels of pigments such as carotene. However, some unscrupulous vendors are taking advantage of this mentality and adding industrial pigment Lycosamine to ordinary eggs, turning them into "red-heart eggs". So, next time you buy eggs, keep your eyes open and don't be fooled by those "red-heart eggs"!

Myth 5: The darker the eggshell, the higher the nutritional value

This misunderstanding is really speechless! The color of the eggshell has little to do with the nutritional value. In fact, the nutritional value of eggs mainly depends on the nutritional structure of the feed and the chicken's feeding situation, and has nothing to do with the color of the eggshell. So, next time when you buy eggs, don't judge the nutritional value of eggs by the color of the eggshell!

Myth 6: Raw eggs are more nutritious than cooked eggs

This misunderstanding is really embarrassing! Eating raw eggs may not only cause the bacteria in the eggs to enter the stomach, causing gastrointestinal discomfort and diarrhea, but the anti-trypsin substances in raw eggs will also hinder the body's absorption and digestion of protein. So, next time you eat eggs, remember to cook them before eating!

Myth 7: “Newborn eggs” are more nutritious

This misunderstanding is really speechless! In fact, the nutritional value of "first-laid eggs" (the first few eggs laid by a hen) and later eggs is almost the same. This is the result of the concept hype by merchants. So, next time you buy eggs, don't blindly pursue "first-laid eggs"!

Myth 8: Postpartum women should eat more eggs

This misunderstanding is really ridiculous! It is a traditional Chinese custom for mothers to eat a lot of eggs during confinement, but it does not mean that the more you eat, the better. Eating too much will not only make the body unable to digest and absorb, but also increase the burden on the stomach and intestines, and it is easy to cause stomach problems over time. Therefore, mothers should eat eggs in moderation during confinement! In addition to eating one or two eggs a day, you should also eat more meat, milk, beans, grains, fruits and vegetables and other foods to achieve a balanced diet! This is the only way to stay healthy!