Do you consume egg whites daily? Read this before doing so!

Eggs are loaded with a variety of beneficial nutrients. Both the white and yolk of an egg are rich in nutrients like proteins, vitamins and minerals. The yolk also contains cholesterol, fat-soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids. They are rich sources of selenium, vitamin D, B6, B12 and minerals such as zinc, iron and copper. Eggs are also an important and versatile ingredient for cooking. Eggs are also a very good source of inexpensive, high-quality protein. More than half the protein of an egg is found in the egg white, which also includes vitamin B2 and lower amounts of fat than the yolk. Egg whites are a very common nutritional requirement for those who are regular gym-goers. However, sometimes we start consuming certain food items without realizing their potential side effects. Same is the case with egg whites and hence, here are few side effects of them.

Egg whites may lead to some kind of allergies, particularly in children. Mild symptoms can include rashes, hives, swelling, a runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes. Even though it is rare, eggs can cause a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock. This causes a number of symptoms, including a drop in blood pressure and severe swelling in your throat and face, which could be deadly if combined.

Raw egg whites also pose a risk of food poisoning from the bacteria Salmonella which can be present in the egg or on the eggshell. To destroy salmonella, the cooking time has to be long, and the temperature needs to be high.

Raw egg whites may also lead to a reduction in the absorption of the water-soluble vitamin biotin, which is found in a variety of foods. Biotin plays an important role in energy production. Raw egg whites contain the protein avidin, which can stop the absorption of biotin.

While consuming a protein-rich diet is very good for health, but one should not overdo it. Eating a high amount of protein can be dangerous if you suffer from kidney problems. Also, people with low Glomerular filtration rate could suffer from acute kidney injury because of the high biological value of egg protein.

Though egg white contains protein and many other vitamins and minerals, they do not contain enough fibre. This lack of fibre can lead to constipation.