Effect of Egg Consumption on Cardiometabolic Health Outcomes: An Overview of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (P08-043-19)

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The relationship of egg consumption and cardiometabolic disease risk is controversial. This report provides an overview on the consistencies and gaps in the evidence base on eggs and cardiometabolic health. Methods PubMed database was screened for evidence-based reviews published in English that assessed human studies on egg consumption and cardiometabolic outcomes, augmented by searches in Web of Science and Google. Results Seven qualitative and 15 quantitative reviews were identified, with >70% having published since 2015. Overall, the systematic reviews were of low quality, while meta-analyses were of moderate to high quality. No association of increased egg intake and risks of heart disease or stroke in the general population were found in the meta-analyses. Increased risk of heart failure was noted in two meta-analyses that analyzed the same three cohort studies. Five recent meta-analyses reported no increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in the general population, although increased risk in US-based populations only was reported. Older (2013) meta-analyses reported increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) or heart disease in T2DM populations and no recent evidence-based reviews were identified. Finally, only one meta-analysis reported intervention studies specifically on eggs and biomarkers (i.e., lipids), and the results contradicted those from observation studies. Conclusions Recent evidence-based reviews conclude that increased egg consumption is not associated with CVD in the general population. More research is needed on the positive associations between heart failure and T2DM risk with egg consumption, as well as CVD risk in diabetics, before firm Conclusions can be made. Funding Sources Partial support from Egg Nutrition Council.