Is Yolk As Harmful As Cigarette?

Eating yolk can increase the risk of getting atherosclerosis.

According to the survey based on over 1,200 patients, Doctor David Spence (from University of Medicine and Dentistry of Munich, Canada) found out that eating a lot of yolk will form arterial plaques one of the factors that could cause stroke and atherosclerosis.

Is Yolk As Harmful As Cigarette?

This research was performed based on data from 1,231 men and women at the average age of 61.5. These people were patients at clinics belonged to the pathological science center of London, Ontario, Canada. They had an ultrasound scan to check all the vascular areas that had arterial plaque.

At the same time, patients were asked to answer a questionnaire regarding their lifestyle and medication. Moreover, they had to give the amount of smoking (the amount of cigarettes smoked per day x the number of years smoked) and the consumption of yolks (the amount of eggs eaten per week x the number of years consumed).

The results showed that over 40 years old, the patients of atherosclerosis would increase with age. Nevertheless, when the patients smoked or ate yolks, the amount of arterial plaque would increase many times. Compared to age, eating yolks or smoking would increase the risk of getting atherosclerosis in other words.

Eating yolks accelerates the risk of atherosclerosis as high as smoking cigarettes.

The research also shows that people who eat 3-4 yolks per week have more arterial plaque than those who eat 2 or fewer yolks per week.

The area of arterial plaque will be about 125-129 mm² if you eat 2 eggs per week. Meanwhile, eating 3 eggs per week, the area of arterial plaque will be about 132-142 mm².

The area of arterial plaque will be about 125-129 mm² if you eat 2 eggs per week.

Mr. Spence added the effect of yolks consumption over time on increasing the amount of arterial plaque was independent of sex, cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, smoking habit and diabetes. 

Although a lot of research needed to be done, Mr. Spence recommended those who had the risk of being affected by atherosclerosis should not eat yolks frequently.