Distinctive Qualities of an Eggland's Best Egg
In addition to the great taste, Eggland's Best eggs are nutritionally superior to ordinary eggs:
- 175mg of cholesterol compared to 213mg of cholesterol in an ordinary egg. Clinical tests have shown that people on a low-fat diet who ate 12 Eggland's Best eggs a week did not increase their serum cholesterol level.
- Higher in Vitamin E, at least 10 times more than in an ordinary egg. One Eggland's Best egg provides 25% of a person's recommended daily allowance of Vitamin E. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps to protect body cells and tissues whether in the heart, skin, lungs, joints or elsewhere in the body.
- 25% less saturated fat than in an ordinary egg. Cutting back on saturated fat is recommended for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels and cardiovascular functions.
- 4 grams of total fat compared to 4.5 grams in an ordinary egg.
- 100mg of Omega 3, compared to only 37mg in an ordinary egg. Omega 3 fatty acids are termed "essential" and are believed to be beneficial for heart health, brain and eye function, infant development, and alleviating hypertension.
- 200mcg of Lutein compared to 135mcg lutein in an ordinary egg. Lutein is an important antioxidant that helps to maintain healthy vision which is important to those who could be at high risk of cataracts and macular degeneration (the elderly and people with diabetes).
- Higher in Iodine. 40% of the Daily Value of Iodine compared to 15% in an ordinary egg. Iodine is an essential element for thyroid function, necessary for the normal growth, development, and functioning of the brain and body.
- A "complete protein". A single egg supplies about 10% of the protein needed daily, along with vitamins A, D, and B12. Eggs are an economical, convenient, and easy-to-prepare source of high-quality protein.
Cholesterol
Our quality assurance laboratory regularly tests our eggs from each of our farms across the country to ensure that Eggland's Best eggs have a lower level of cholesterol.
Vitamin E
Through normal bodily processes and external sources, such as air pollution, we are exposed to highly reactive, oxygen-containing chemicals called "free radicals." Free radicals can damage our cells and tissues. In fact, scientists have begun to establish links between oxidative, free-radical damage to the body's cells and chronic diseases, such as arthritis, atherosclerosis, cancer, cataracts, heart disease, and lung ailments.
Nutritional scientists are studying the roles of various dietary factors against such diseases. There are substances called "antioxidants" that can help curb these damaging oxidative reactions. Among the nutrients most frequently being studied are antioxidants, such as Vitamin E, which are capable of neutralizing free radicals and other reactive chemicals. It is believed that the antioxidant vitamin terminates these harmful chemical reactions, thereby helping to protect body cells.
There are other good sources of Vitamin E, but most of these sources contain higher levels of total fat and calories than an Eggland's Best egg.
| Vitamin E Source |
Size/Amount |
Vitamin E |
Total Fat |
Calories |
| Eggland's Best Egg |
1 Large Egg |
5.0mg |
4.0g |
70 |
| Generic Egg |
1 Large Egg |
0.7mg |
4.5g |
75 |
| * Wheat Germ |
1/4 c |
5.0mg |
3.0g |
109 |
| * Hazelnuts |
1/4 c |
8.0mg |
21.0g |
213 |
| * Sunflower Seeds |
1/4 c |
18.0mg |
18.0g |
205 |
| * Peanut Butter |
2 Tbsp |
3.0mg |
16.0g |
188 |
1. Eggcyclopedia. American Egg Board. Rev. 4/94
* Reference: Becker, Gail L., The Antioxidant Pocket Counter, Times Books, New York. 1993
Saturated Fat
Saturated fat is believed to be the single most detrimental factor in raising blood cholesterol levels. Reducing one's intake of saturated fat may be the most effective strategy in helping maintain healthy blood cholesterol levels. A reduction of blood cholesterol may result in a lower risk for developing coronary heart disease.
Eggland's Best eggs have reduced saturated fat because the principal source of fat in the Eggland's Best high-quality hen diet is canola oil, which is the lowest saturated fat oil and contains appreciable levels of linolenic acid.
Omega 3
Research indicates that Omega 3 essential fatty acids may play an important role in maintaining cardiovascular health by lowering serum cholesterol, triglyceride, and low density lipoprotein levels. They are also reported to be beneficial for brain and eye function, infant development, and a healthy immune system. The Omega 3 in Eggland's Best eggs comes from the hens' special feed.
Lutein
A powerful antioxidant, Lutein has been shown to contribute positively to eye health, which could be an important consideration for those who may consider themselves at risk for developing macular degeneration, a debilitating eye disorder among the elderly. Researchers are studying Lutein consumption and the role it may play in maintaining the health of eyes, heart and skin, as well as women's breasts and cervixes, along with the possible role of Lutein in cardio-vascular health and aiding in immune system health.
Lutein is not made in the body and must be obtained from food or vitamin supplements. Major sources of Lutein are found in egg yolks, corn, spinach, and other green leafy vegetables. The extra Lutein in Eggland's Best eggs comes from the hens' special feed.
Iodine
Iodine is an essential element for thyroid function, necessary for the normal growth, development, and functioning of the brain and body. Because thyroid hormones are essential to life, the body must have proper levels of thyroid hormone to work well.
Our bodies do not produce Iodine; therefore we must get Iodine through our food. The chart below shows the Iodine content of an Eggland's Best egg compared to some other known sources of Iodine.
| Food |
Iodine |
| Table salt, iodized (1/4 teaspoon) |
100 mcg |
| Cod, cooked (3 ounces) |
87 mcg |
| Eggland's Best egg (1 large) |
60 mcg |
| Potato, cooked (1 medium) |
7 mcg |
| Spinach, cooked (1/2 cup) |
5 mcg |
| Almonds (1 ounce) |
4 mcg |
Protein
Protein is a part of every body cell and is needed to repair body cells as they wear out. Protein is also critical to the process of making new body tissue during times of growth, infancy, childhood, adolescence, and pregnancy. Protein also helps regulate body processes. Along with enzymes and hormones, proteins are important to cause various chemical reactions in the body. As antibodies, proteins help protect you from disease-carrying bacteria and viruses.
Protein is often referred to as a single nutrient, yet proteins in foods and in your body cells are made up of 20 amino acids. Nine of these amino acids are considered essential, which means your food choices must supply them.
All proteins are not alike. The protein found in eggs is considered a "complete protein, " or of a composition which can supply all the body's requirements (all the essential amino acids). In fact, many experts believe eggs are the best source of high-quality protein.