Health Risks Associated with Consuming Raw Egg Whites: Discover the Four Adverse Effects
Adverse Effects of Consuming Raw Egg Whites: Eggs are a popular breakfast choice, with raw egg whites comprising 10% protein and 90% water. They are rich in essential nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, niacin, and sodium, while the yolk contains vitamins, iron, zinc, and phosphorus. These nutrients are beneficial for heart health, blood pressure regulation, and diabetes management. However, consuming raw egg whites can lead to various side effects and health issues. Despite being low in fat and calories, raw egg whites can cause allergic reactions and other health problems, posing a risk to overall health.
May Trigger Allergic Reactions
Some individuals may have an allergy to raw egg whites, but detecting it can be challenging as symptoms may vary. Common signs of an allergic reaction include body rashes, swelling, skin redness, cramps, diarrhea, itching, and watery eyes. In severe cases, consuming raw egg whites can lead to difficulty breathing, a drop in blood pressure, and a feeling of unconsciousness.
May Lead to Muscle Discomfort
Consuming raw egg whites can lead to biotin deficiency, also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H deficiency. Albumin present in raw egg whites interferes with biotin absorption in the body, leading to various issues such as skin problems like rashes in children and seborrheic dermatitis in adults, muscle pain, and hair loss. Excessive intake of albumin exacerbates biotin absorption issues, worsening these symptoms.
May Pose Risks to Kidney Health
The high protein content in raw egg whites can be harmful to individuals with kidney problems. This is because people with kidney issues often have a low glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is the rate at which fluid is filtered through the kidneys. However, the protein in raw egg whites can further decrease the GFR, exacerbating kidney problems.
May Be Contaminated with Salmonella Bacteria
Raw egg whites can harbor salmonella contamination, as this bacterium is commonly found in the intestines of chickens. It can be present on the outer shell as well as inside the raw egg. To eliminate salmonella, thorough cooking at high temperatures for an extended period is necessary. Bacteria may also be present in partially cooked or undercooked eggs.
Learn some interesting egg-related facts
- A study involving 40,000 men and 30,000 women concluded that consuming one egg daily can be beneficial for health.
- However, another study suggests that consuming more eggs can lead to increased levels of both LDL and HDL cholesterol, potentially posing risks to health. T
- he impact of egg consumption varies depending on an individual’s overall diet. Even if someone regularly consumes healthy foods, excessive egg intake may still be harmful.
- If an individual has elevated LDL levels, it’s advisable to limit egg consumption as it could contribute to further increases in cholesterol levels.