Written by Gina Campanella, Intern
What came first – the chicken or the egg? Perhaps we’ll never really know.
But if there is one thing we know for certain – it’s that all eggs (and all chickens) are notcreated equal.
If you’ve recently walked by the egg aisle of any grocery store, I’m sure you’ve noticed the varying labels indicating the quality of the product being sold: “Organic”, “cage-free”, “pasture raised”, “free-range”…and the list goes on.
However, an interesting question still stands – do the conditions under which animals are raised offer us any better health benefits?
…Or are we really just buying more expensive versions of supposedly lower-quality food?
Scientific researchers looked at the nutrient profiles of eggs from free-range and pastured hens vs. conventional caged hens to help answer these questions – and the data may just have you reconsidering your stance on buying the cheaper, conventionally produced eggs.
As it turns out, eggs from free-range or pastured hens were shown to have increased fat-soluble vitamins, specifically vitamins A and E, and omega-3 fatty acids. The majority of Americans are notconsuming enough omega-3 fatty acids, which is consequently shown to be related to worsened health outcomes, specifically concerning risk of, and outcomes associated with, cardiovascular disease. A strong body evidence points to the importance of consuming adequate omega-3 fatty acids within the diet for the vast health benefits they offer, meaning we should be making a conscious effort to ensure we’re eating quality sources of it.
Not only have high-quality, free-range or pastured hens been shown to produce more nutritionally dense eggs – but this method of egg production is far better for the environment and for the welfare of the animal as well.
As consumers navigating a confusing market, it’s important to support farmers sustainably producing nutritious and safe eggs that promote our health and longevity – not undermine it.
Purchasing organic eggs from free-range or pasture-raised hens is just one simple step you can take toward a more health-conscious lifestyle.
Looking for more information?
Check out labelsunwrapped.org for more information on labeling.
Go to eatwild.com to find local farmers meeting your egg quality standards.
Works Cited
1.Anderson, KE. (2011). Comparison of fatty acid, cholesterol, and vitamin A and E composition in eggs from hens housed in conventional cage and range production facilities. Poultry Science. 90 (7).
2. Papanikolaou, Y., Brooks, J., Reider, C., & Fulgoni, V. L. (2014). U.S. adults are not meeting recommended levels for fish and omega-3 fatty acid intake: results of an analysis using observational data from NHANES 2003–2008. Nutrition Journal, 13,31
3.Research shows eggs from pastured chickens may be more nutritious. (2010). Penn State News. Accessed July 7, 2018. https://news.psu.edu/story/166143/2010/07/20/research-shows-eggs-pastured-chickens-may-be-more-nutritious.