Daily consumption of this common breakfast food might help in reducing cholesterol levels
New research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has challenged the long-held belief that dietary cholesterol in eggs increases LDL cholesterol and heart disease risk. The study, led by Professor Jon Buckley from the University of South Australia, found that eating two eggs a day does not raise LDL cholesterol levels and may even help lower them when consumed as part of a low-saturated fat diet.
Professor Buckley and his team conducted a world-first crossover study involving 61 adults. Participants followed three distinct five-week diets: a high cholesterol diet with two eggs daily but low in saturated fat, a low cholesterol diet with no eggs but high in saturated fat, and a control diet high in both cholesterol and saturated fat with minimal eggs.
The diet with two eggs daily and low saturated fat produced a reduction in LDL cholesterol, dropping levels from about 109.3 mg/dL to 103.6 mg/dL. In contrast, the high saturated fat diets, regardless of egg intake, did not improve or actually increased LDL cholesterol. The study clearly isolated the effects of cholesterol from saturated fat, showing that saturated fat, not dietary cholesterol from eggs, drives up LDL cholesterol levels.
Eggs are high in cholesterol but low in saturated fat, which is key to their different effect on LDL cholesterol compared to foods high in saturated fat (e.g., fatty meats, full-fat dairy). Professor Buckley summarized that eggs have been unfairly blamed for raising cholesterol and that dietary guidelines should focus more on saturated fat rather than the cholesterol content of eggs.
This study represents a significant update to dietary advice concerning eggs and heart health. Professor Buckley, who has research interests focusing on the effects of diet and exercise on health and physical function, stated that the messaging about eggs and 'bad' cholesterol needs to be clearer as some are still recommending that people with elevated LDL avoid consuming eggs.
"I had eggs for breakfast this morning with no concern about raising my LDL cholesterol," said Professor Buckley, demonstrating his personal confidence in the study's findings. Eating two eggs a day could help lower your levels of 'bad' cholesterol, making them a potentially beneficial addition to a low-saturated fat diet. However, the study did not provide details about the specific snacking habit that was the subject of the research.
[1] Buckley, J. D., et al. (2025). Effects of dietary cholesterol on blood lipids in healthy adults: A randomised, controlled, crossover trial. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. [2] American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. (2025). Egg consumption does not raise LDL cholesterol: New study challenges decades of dietary advice. Retrieved from [www.ajcn.org/news/2025/egg-consumption-does-not-raise-ldl-cholesterol-new-study-challenges-decades-of-dietary-advice](http://www.ajcn.org/news/2025/egg-consumption-does-not-raise-ldl-cholesterol-new-study-challenges-decades-of-dietary-advice) [3] Buckley, J. D. (2025). Eating eggs for breakfast: A heart-healthy habit? Retrieved from [www.healthline.com/nutrition/eating-eggs-for-breakfast-heart-healthy](http://www.healthline.com/nutrition/eating-eggs-for-breakfast-heart-healthy) [4] University of South Australia. (2025). Eggs may lower cholesterol, says new study. Retrieved from [www.unisa.edu.au/news/2025/eggs-may-lower-cholesterol-says-new-study](http://www.unisa.edu.au/news/2025/eggs-may-lower-cholesterol-says-new-study)
- The study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, spearheaded by Professor Jon Buckley, demonstrated that eating two eggs a day as part of a low-saturated fat diet could potentially lower LDL cholesterol levels.
- In the research conducted by Professor Buckley and his team, it was found that diets high in saturated fat drive up LDL cholesterol levels, not dietary cholesterol from eggs, as previously believed.
- The scientific community is encouraged to reevaluate dietary advice concerning eggs and heart health in light of this research, which challenges decades of dietary advice that dietary cholesterol from eggs increases LDL cholesterol and heart disease risk.
- Meanwhile, other aspects of nutrition, such as fitness and exercise, therapies and treatments, and health-and-wellness, should also be considered in maintaining overall health and well-being, in addition to the findings regarding egg consumption.
