Eating one egg per day has no impact on BP, HbA1c

Regardless of overweight or obesity status, intake of one egg per day does not seem to affect blood pressure (BP) or glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, a recent study has found.

Researchers conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 668 individuals, in whom a food frequency questionnaire was used to measure egg intake. Standardized protocols were followed for the measurement of BP and HbA1c.

Crude linear regression analysis found that participants in the highest quartile of egg consumption had significantly lower systolic (β, –6.15; p=0.017) and diastolic (β, –4.41; p=0.002) blood pressure, as opposed to those in the lowest quartile. The same was true for mean arterial pressure (β, –4.99; p=0.003) and HbA1c (β, –0.19; p=0.019).

However, these interactions were completely attenuated after adjusting for confounders, including age, sex, education, body mass index, diet, and other lifestyle factors. In the fully adjusted model, systolic (β, 0.06; p=0.674) and diastolic (β, –1.17; p=0.717) blood pressure, mean arterial pressure (β, –0.76; p=0.632), and HbA1c (β, –0.06; p=0.643) were no longer associated with egg intake.

Importantly, body weight status did not significantly impact these associations, and neither did the presence of type 2 diabetes.

The findings “support that within a balanced and good quality dietary pattern, the consumption of up to one egg per day is safe because it does not imply negative effects on blood pressure and blood sugar control even in overweight or obese individuals,” the researchers said.