Can your eggs' yolk color determine your health? What experts say about its connection to cancer risk

Eggs are frequently purchased food items due to their versatility in cooking and their role as a critical ingredient in many popular dishes. They are an excellent source of essential nutrients like vitamins A, B12, D, E, K, riboflavin, folic acid, selenium, phosphorus, iodine, iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids. Despite their ubiquity in the daily diet of most Poles, not everyone pays heed to the yolk's color.

According to some experts, the appearance of the yolk, especially its color, is of considerable significance and can provide insights into the product's health benefits. Research published in the "Journal of Food Science" suggests that a darker yolk is healthier. It contains more omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and essential vitamins compared to a lighter yolk.

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This color variation is due to the type of feed given to the hens and their overall health condition. But does a lighter yolk offer fewer health benefits? What's the expert's take on it?

World-renowned nutrition specialist Vanessa Rissetto suggests that eggs with vivid orange yolks come from hens that consume fresh grass. Such a diet is a plentiful source of carotenoids, compounds responsible for the pronounced color of the yolk.

Carotenoids protect the body against free radicals, frequently implicated in cancer development. They also lower the level of harmful cholesterol and reduce the risk of diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

In an interview, the dietitian explained that a pale yellow yolk might indicate a vegetarian diet of wheat and corn for the laying hens. However, Dr. Rachel Paul, from the College Nutritionist Service, clarifies that regardless of the yolk's color, each egg contains the exact amounts of fat and protein.