15 Fascinating Facts About Eggs You Should Know

Eggs are the perfect way to start the day. Not only are they high in protein and vitamins A and D, they’re also low in saturated fat. In fact, eggs are laid by female animals of many different species, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Moreover, humans have consumed eggs for countless years. Today, eggs are one of the healthiest and most versatile foods you can eat. They contain many nutrients needed for good health, but sometimes people still underestimate them and compare them with meat.

In this article, we will reveal some fascinating facts about eggs which will broaden your knowledge. Whether eggs are your favorite food or not but you just want to know insightful facts about eggs, this page is destined for you. From the benefits of this nutritious food to the impact you will get if you consume too many eggs, we have compiled many awesome facts just for you. Let’s jump to the list!  

1. Yolk and Whites Have Similar Amount Of Protein

Some people may believe that whites have a lot more protein than yolk as yolk is believed to be the source of cholesterol. It is true that egg yolks include the egg’s cholesterol, fat, and saturated fat. However, in fact, both of them contain approximately 3 gram of protein according to the USDA table.

Furthermore, the calories make up the majority of the difference. A single egg white offers 3 grams of protein for only 15 calories, compared to a single yolk’s 3 grams of protein for 60 calories. Therefore, omitting the yolk allows you to obtain the same amount of protein while consuming less calories. 

2. All Eggs Are Additional Hormone-Free

When you buy eggs at the store, you may read hormone-free labels on some egg packages. Even though this claim is made on many boxes, it is not particularly noteworthy. It’s comparable to stating that water is wet. This is due to the FDA’s 1950 restriction on the use of hormones in any form of chicken production. Consequently, additional hormones will never be present in chicken eggs.

However, eggs indeed have natural hormones. Since eggs are directly formed in the hen’s ovaries, a gland that produces steroid hormones, they most likely include estrogens. 

3. Egg Yolk Colors Indicate Nutritional Differences

Depending on the food of the hen, egg yolks can range in color from pale yellow to deep orange or even blazing red. The yolks of free-range hens’ eggs frequently have deeper colors because they frequently consume more nutritious, pigmented things like grasses and insects. Conversely, traditional, grain-fed chickens will develop yolks that are a paler shade of yellow.

Regardless of yolk color, the protein and fat counts frequently stay the same. However, a 2014 study that was published in the Journal of Food Science found that the micronutrient value of some antioxidant carotenoids, such lutein and beta-carotene, can rise up to 100-fold in rich, dark yolks. Additionally, eggs with deeper yolk colors contain more heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and less cholesterol.

4. Eggs Buoyancy Can Determine Their Age

Eggshells contain pores. This indicates that they permit air to pass through them. As eggs get older, they absorb air and form an air pocket. In general, putting an egg in a cup of water will allow you to determine how fresh it is.

If the egg floats, it is likely old and has a significant air pocket; in this case, you shouldn’t consume it. The egg is typically okay to eat if it stays on the bottom. You can smell an egg before eating it to be extra certain that it is fresh. You should avoid anything that smells nasty.

5. Chalazae Are Sign Of Good Eggs

Chalazae are those white, curling strings that gather at the margins of egg yolks. They connect the yolk to the shell’s tip and are really twisted. Chalazae are thought to function as balancers, keeping the yolk in the deposited egg in a constant position. In addition to being entirely edible, these fibers are also a sign of freshness, according to Cougarprowl. The more noticeable the chalazae, the fresher the egg.

The chalazae will vanish without any planning once the egg has been cooked. The chalazae will increase the protein since eggs are a complete protein rich in health benefits and the egg whites are low in calories and a good source of protein. Every time you crack an egg open to see whether it is fresh and healthy, be sure to look for the chalazae.

6. Eggs May Prevent Hair Loss

Eggs are a great source of protein, which is essential to prevent hair loss. According to a study from Harvard University, the proteins found in eggs repair the damaged keratin gaps. These proteins also add shine to your hair by nourishing your hair follicles and scalp.

Moreover, Biotin and other B-complex vitamins from eggs also can help stop hair loss in its tracks by strengthening the roots of your hair. The nutrients also aid in promoting new hair growth, giving your hair more volume and thickness. Your hair will become stronger because of the proteins, and it will become more supple thanks to the lipids from yolk.

7. Eggs Help To Firm And Nourish Skin

Eggs are a fantastic source of nutrition for your skin, according to Eggstriper.com. The lutein in eggs gives skin moisture and suppleness, while the protein that goes along with it aids in tissue healing and keeps skin taut. Egg whites contain albumin, a straightforward protein that helps to constrict pores and remove extra oil, while egg yolks are particularly rich in fatty acids that provide moisture to skin.

The primary egg skin benefit is its capacity to act as a water-binding agent, which keeps moisture in your skin cells and gives them a supple, soft feel. Egg yolk nutrients work together to hydrate, nourish, and moisturize dry skin. In fact, antibacterial help for skin that is prone to acne and aging treatments frequently utilize egg yolk face masks.

8. Egg Shell Determines Egg Quality 

The significance of eggshell quality for a successful egg production of chicks cannot be overstated. Crystals of calcium carbonate make up practically the whole eggshell, which create a hard structure. The shell shields the egg’s contents from harm from the moment it enters the hen’s uterus during shell production until the chick hatches.Additionally, it supplies the embryo with a source of calcium, controls gas exchange, and controls moisture loss. The eggshell also offers further defense against pathogen infiltration after lay. 

In fact, egg quality is influenced by eggshell quality, which in turn influences chick quality. Eggs with poor shell quality account for over 50% of egg waste. For broiler breeders, a pale brown or white tint can be the first sign of a low eggshell quality. When eggs are pale, cuticle deposition and calcium accumulation are probably declining or incomplete, which may be caused by malnutrition or sickness. Premature oviposition can occasionally cause problems with eggshell quality.

9. The Dangerous Pink Egg 

Have you ever spotted pinky colors on your egg white? In case you find this phenomenon, then you shouldn’t consume it. In fact, albumen that is pink or pearly implies Pseudomonas bacterial deterioration. Some of these microbes can cause harm to people because they create a greenish, fluorescent, water-soluble pigment. 

On the other hand, the yolk might have different hues of red spots. The ovulation-related burst of one or more tiny blood vessels in the yolk results in blood spots. However, it doesn’t mean the egg is dangerous.

10. Retrovirus Makes Chicken Eggshells Blue

Eggs often have white or brown shells when you buy them at the market. However, certain chicken breeds lay blue or green eggs. In fact, a retrovirus that has been inserted into the chicken genome and activated a gene responsible for producing blue eggs is what gives the eggs their blue color.

Blue eggs are laid by the Chinese Dongxiang and Lushi chickens as well as the Chilean Araucana chicken breed. An autosomal dominant gene determines the shade of blue in eggshells. Moreover, eggs from homozygous chickens are bluer than those from heterozygote birds. Despite the virus, they are absolutely safe to eat.

11. Unique Egg With Double Yolk And Double Shell

When two yolks from the same chicken are released into the same egg shell, the result is a double yolk. Young hens typically generate double yolks. They occasionally discharge two yolks instead of one since their reproductive systems are still developing.

However, can an egg have double yolks and also double shells? Guinness World Records marked this record with the 454 g egg as the heaviest one known to have been laid by a hen. It was produced by a White Leghorn at Vineland, New Jersey, USA, on February 25, 1956, and has double yolks and double shells.

12. Eggs Naturally Contain Vitamin D

A convenient source of vitamin D is eggs. One large egg has 37 IU, or 5% of the DV, of vitamin D in the yolk. The amount of vitamin D in egg yolks is influenced by a few things. Vitamin D levels in the egg will rise as a result of chicken exposure to sunlight and UV light exposure of liquid yolks.

Hens require vitamin D just like humans do to maintain strong bones. Researchers at Newcastle University have also shown that the amount of vitamin D in an animal’s food correlates with the amount of vitamin D that an animal’s eggs contain.

13. Choline From Eggs Promotes Normal Cell Activity

One egg contains 147 mg of choline, making it one of the greatest sources of the mineral. Thus, consuming just two eggs everyday provides 54% of the daily requirement. Choline supports healthy cell function, liver health, and the movement of nutrients throughout the body. It’s essential for a baby’s memory development as well.

According to the National Institute of Health, choline is a source of methyl groups needed for many steps in metabolism. The body needs choline to synthesize phospholipids vital for cell membranes. Therefore, choline is required for maintaining the structural integrity of all plant and animal cells.

14. When Hens Age, Eggs Become Larger

Did you know that the age of your hens affects the size of the egg? The size of a hen’s eggs throughout her first year of life depends on how young she is when she begins producing eggs. Egg size is somewhat influenced by skeleton size. Larger and longer-boned hens typically grow to be more hens and deposit larger eggs.

Additionally, the key element affecting the skeletal size of any specific breed of hen is the protein content of the food supplied before 10 weeks of age. Feed a beginning diet to pullets for 8 or 10 weeks rather than only 6 if you want them to have larger bones.

15. The World’s Largest Egg Laid By Hen

People may know that an ostrich has the largest egg among other animals. However, did you know what is the largest egg laid by a hen? In 2010, a British hen named Harriet produced the largest egg ever. Her astounding egg had a diameter of 9.1 inches. That significantly exceeds the previous world record of 8.6 inches. Harriet, who was six months old, created an exceptional specimen that was 4.5 inches long and a whole half inch longer than the next best specimen.

Around six months old and only recently beginning to lay eggs, Harriet was still a young hen at that time. Harriet was housed in a coop and fed nothing but mashed potatoes and vegetable peelings. In actuality, hens’ eggs are typically 2.3 inches long and 5.5 inches in circumference.

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