Deep yolk hues don't always equal healthier eggs, experts say

The yolk can tell us a little about the nutritional content of an egg. Experts have reached this conclusion, although they also admit that a more intense yolk color, typically associated with a healthier and tastier egg, does not always indicate better quality.

Research published in the "Journal of Food Science" indicates that the darker yolk color may be due to the presence of larger amounts of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins compared to lighter-colored yolks. But where does this difference come from? And does the intense yolk color mean that the egg is healthier?

Vanessa Rissetto, an expert from Culina Health, points out in an interview with the website eatthis.com that intensely colored yolks come from healthy hens that receive quality feed and are subject to good farming practices.

Indeed, many studies indicate that the carotenoids primarily influence the yolk color of eggs in the hens' diet. Carotenoids are natural antioxidants and can positively impact the human body: lutein and zeaxanthin are beneficial for eye health, and beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A, which is responsible for skin condition and supports the immune system. Nonetheless, it is worth noting that the yolk color does not affect the amount of the most important components present in the egg, i.e., protein and fat.

In contrast, a light yolk color may mean that the hens were likely fed a vegetarian diet consisting of corn and wheat. It is also assumed that light yolks come from caged hens. As pointed out by the specialized portal infowet.pl, this is somewhat true because hens raised in a caged system usually eat only a specific type of feed.

"Nevertheless, caged hens can also eat healthily. Moreover, the addition of supplements can cause their egg yolks to also have the desired golden color," reads further on the infowet.pl portal.

In summary, intensely colored yolks contain more carotenoids, but the amount of protein and fat remains unchanged. The yolk color tells us much about what the hen was fed, but it does not necessarily indicate the farming system. Therefore, we cannot assert that more intensely colored yolks are healthier.

https://www.eatthis.com/color-egg-yolks/