The cliche that breakfast is the most essential meal of the day may be especially true for children when it comes to eating eggs.
According to research, eggs are an important part of young children’s meals and can help them grow taller.
Washington University researchers studied neonates between the ages of six and nine months in Ecuador. Some randomly selected participants were told to eat one egg every day for six months, while others were assigned to a control group that did not eat any eggs.
Stunting, or delayed growth in height, was shown to be 47% lower in neonates who ate eggs on a regular basis. Also, 74% of children were less likely to be underweight than children in the control group.
“We were startled by how potent this intervention proved to be,” said lead researcher Lora Iannotti. In contrast to the global average of 0.39, the magnitude of the effect was 0.63.
It should be noted that the test group participants were restricted in how much sugar they could consume, which could have influenced the results. Yet, this study offers a solution to hunger in locations where sufficient nutrition is unavailable because eggs not only comprise a complete meal but also often arrive in safe packaging.
Iannotti says, “despite rigorously monitoring egg allergy reactions, no cases were seen or reported by caretakers during the weekly home visits.” Eggs appear to be a viable and recommended source of nutrition for children in developing countries.
The outcomes of the study were published in the journal Pediatrics.
Additional benefits of eggs for children include:
Brain Development
Eggs are particularly high in choline, a nutrient essential for brain growth and function. Choline promotes the synthesis of neurotransmitters, which are essential for memory and learning, and aids in the formation of brain cell membranes.
Weight Management
If a child wants to maintain their weight, they should include eggs in their diet. These are low-carb, high-protein foods that can keep youngsters full for long periods of time. This may result in a lower total calorie intake and help to prevent overeating.
Eye Health
Eggs include two antioxidants that are essential for preserving eye health: lutein and zeaxanthin. Children who eat eggs can help ensure that they are getting enough of these essential nutrients to support their eye health.
