Researchers just don’t let you be! Many years ago when I was little, I was told eggs are healthy, whole milk was good and lard was used regularly for cooking. Along the way, researchers came up with theories and results ‘proving’ otherwise. Although researchers mean well the problem is their studies keep contradicting each other. Let’s take a closer look.
On one hand the egg industry has been advertising eggs are good for us and on the other we are nagged by news articles referring to eggs as a good source to gum up our bloodstream with cholesterol thus resulting in strokes and heart disease.
Fried Eggs
At one point the American Heart Association suggested just 3 eggs per week. Now another study recommends eating one egg a day. Alright, eggs, and I’m referring to chicken eggs, are high in cholesterol and some studies have found that the effect of egg consumption on cholesterol is minimal when compared with the effect of trans fats and saturated fats. Another paper that sounds fairly balanced talks about eggs being previously associateld with heart disease as a result of their high cholesterol content. It goes on to say a solid body of research shows that for most people, cholesterol in food has a smaller effect on blood levels of total cholesterol and harmful LDL than does the mix of fats in the diet.
Only my opinion, not all of us react to specific foods the same way. Given that I have found one egg a day aids in my healthy diet plan due to the fact of high nutrients and vitamins.
Olive Oil
Olive oil has long been touted as the healthiest oil. Let give a look see at what researchers have to say about other sources of fat. Some research papers recommend using sunflower seed oil and go on to talk about the amazing benefits it offers . And then there are papers that are also clear that long term intake of sunflower or fish oils damages the liver and can cause a series of alterations in it, giving rise to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Fats from animal sources for long have had a big stigma attached to them but then research itself suggests that duck and goose fats are actually healthy fats, help in maintaining healthy cells, aid good kidney function, help maintaining good bones, actually reduce cholesterol levels and improve cardiovascular health.
Ghee (Purified Butter)
Ghee which has long been used in India suddenly became taboo over the years and was again linked to bad cardiovascular health and strokes. Now another research paper says that their findings support the beneficial effects of ghee that have been outlined in the ancient Ayurvedic texts and the therapeutic use of ghee that have been talked about for thousands of years are probably correct.
All this just for cooking fats and eggs. Let alone the meats we consume.
For as much as I can say, in my inexpert view, everything in moderation and not too much of a sedentary lifestyle should normally aid us live a healthy life.
Photos: Shutterstock
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