Lite mer lättläst variant:
The possible relationship between dietary cholesterol and cardiac outcomes has been scrutinized for decades.
However, recent reviews of the literature have suggested that dietary cholesterol is not a nutrient of concern.
Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis of egg intake (a significant contributor to dietary cholesterol) and risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke.
A comprehensive literature search was conducted through August 2015 to identify prospective cohort studies that reported risk estimates for egg consumption in association with CHD or stroke.
Random-effects meta-analysis was used to generate summary relative risk estimates (SRREs) for high vs low intake and stratified intake dose-response analyses.
Heterogeneity was examined in subgroups where sensitivity and meta regression analyses were conducted based on increasing egg intake.
A 12% decreased risk (SRRE = 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81-0.97) of stroke was observed in the meta-analysis of 7 studies of egg intake (high vs low; generally 1/d vs <2/wk), with little heterogeneity (p-H = 0.37, I2 = 7.50).
A nonstatistically significant SRRE of 0.97 (95% CI, 0.88-1.07, p-H = 0.67, I2 = 0.00) was observed in the meta-analysis of 7 studies of egg consumption and CHD.
No clear dose-response trends were apparent in the stratified intake meta-analyses or the meta regression analyses.
Based on the results of this meta-analysis, consumption of up to one egg daily may contribute to a decreased risk of total stroke, and daily egg intake does not appear to be associated with risk of CHD.
Key Teaching Points:
- The role of egg consumption in the risk of stroke and coronary heart disease has come under scrutiny over many years.
- A comprehensive meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies that reported risk estimates for egg consumption in association with CHD or stroke was performed on the peer-reviewed epidemiologic literature through August 2015.
- Overall, summary associations indicate that intake of up to 1 egg daily may be associated with reduced risk of total stroke.
- Overall, summary associations show no clear association between egg intake and increased or decreased risk of CHD (coronary heart disease).
- Eggs are a relatively low-cost and nutrient-dense whole food that provides a valuable source of protein, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, choline, vitamins, and minerals.