Is it safe to eat raw eggs?

Eggs are awesome. They are not just loaded with a hefty dosage of essential micro and macronutrients but they can be concocted into a delicious dish, and they keep you well satiated for longer than other foods. In fact eggs are so healthy that they have been rewarded with the distinction of being a superfood, which refers to a food that provides excellent nutritional and holistic well being. While talking about eggs, people often raise a question as to what is the best way to eat an egg? Is it boiled, fried, scrambled, poached, or raw?

Eggs, whether cooked or eaten raw, are packed with nutrients. They will help in optimizing your health regardless of how you eat it. People wonder if it’s a good option to consume an egg raw. Well, consuming any food raw is always subject to debate, and raw eggs are no different. It may not be the most popular way to consume an egg, and most certainly is not the tastiest, but still thee topic of raw eggs always seems to garner attention. Let’s take a look at the nutritional properties between a raw and a cooked egg. Raw eggs have been shown to contain more vitamin D, choline, biotin, and zinc as compared to cooked egg, since heating an egg takes away a portion of the nutrition. On the flipside nutrients like protein are more digestible in cooked eggs. Therefore there is a perpetual conflict regarding the nutritional prowess of either egg.

Research has shown that you may not be able to absorb biotin, a water soluble B vitamin, when eating a raw egg. Eggs contain avidin, a protein called avidin, which gets attached to the biotin in the small intestine, preventing its absorption. Avidin gets detached when heat is applied to the egg, which is why biotin can be absorbed by consuming cooked eggs.

Raw eggs are associated with many health risks. The most pressing concern regarding the consumption of raw eggs is that they have a chance of being contaminated with bacteria. Although the chance of that occurring is fairly slim, it is still a cause of concern. The most common bacteria found in eggs is salmonella, consuming which causes food poisoning, leading to adverse effects like diarrhoea, fever, stomach cramps, and headache. Because of this, doctors and nutritionists recommend cooking eggs before consumption.

Many foods like cakes, sauces, and salads require the use of a raw egg. While raw eggs are associated with bacterial infections, the low occurrence makes them considerably safe to consume. You can use raw eggs for food preparations, but be cautious about the risk involved. Always buy pasteurized eggs, and keep them refrigerated. Most importantly, raw eggs should be avoided by children, pregnant women, and people with a weaker immunity system.