Eggs are one of the most popular foods around the world. They are rich in high-quality protein, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, making them a regular part of many healthy diets.
However, scientists have continued to study whether eating eggs could also influence the risk of developing certain diseases, including some types of cancer.
A recent study from Harvard University has added new information to this discussion. The research, led by N. Keum and colleagues, was published in the British Journal of Nutrition. The scientists examined whether eating different amounts of eggs was linked to cancers that are influenced by sex hormones, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and prostate cancer.
Instead of carrying out a new clinical trial, the researchers combined the results of many earlier studies using a method called a dose-response meta-analysis.
This type of analysis allows scientists to compare people who eat different amounts of a food and estimate whether cancer risk changes as intake increases. Because it includes information from multiple studies, it can provide a broader picture than a single study alone.
The researchers found that people who ate larger amounts of eggs appeared to have a higher risk of developing some hormone-related cancers. Women who ate five or more eggs each week had a higher risk of breast cancer than women who rarely or never ate eggs. A similar pattern was also seen for ovarian cancer.
The study also found an association between higher egg consumption and fatal prostate cancer, which is the most serious form of the disease. However, egg intake was not linked with the overall risk of developing prostate cancer. This suggests that if there is an effect, it may relate only to the most aggressive cases rather than all prostate cancers.
Although these findings are important, they do not prove that eggs directly cause cancer. The study only found an association, meaning two factors occurred together. Other lifestyle habits, including body weight, physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, or overall diet, may also influence the results.
Scientists are still trying to understand why eggs might be linked to some hormone-related cancers. Eggs naturally contain cholesterol along with many other nutrients and compounds that could potentially affect hormone activity or other biological processes.
However, the exact mechanism remains uncertain, and more laboratory and clinical research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.
The findings also need to be considered alongside the many nutritional benefits of eggs. Eggs provide protein, vitamin B12, choline, selenium, and other nutrients that support muscle health, brain function, and general nutrition. For most healthy people, eggs can still be part of a balanced diet when eaten in moderation as part of an overall healthy eating pattern.
The researchers believe that future studies should examine not only how many eggs people eat but also their overall dietary habits and lifestyle. This could help determine whether eggs themselves influence cancer risk or whether the association is explained by other factors. Better research may also identify whether certain groups of people are more sensitive than others.
This study adds another piece to the ongoing effort to understand how diet affects long-term health. While the findings suggest a possible link between higher egg consumption and some hormone-related cancers, they should not be viewed as proof of cause and effect.
Eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, avoiding smoking, and following recommended cancer screening remain among the most effective ways to lower cancer risk.
If you care about cancer, please read studies that a low-carb diet could increase overall cancer risk, and berry that can prevent cancer, diabetes, and obesity.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how drinking milk affects the risks of heart disease and cancer and results showing vitamin D supplements could strongly reduce cancer death.
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