What Everyone Should Know About Eating Raw Eggs
As one who has suffered a "salmonella poisoning" not once but twice I can tell you that it is NO FUN! My experiences were never from eggs however. My second experience occurred as a result of eating oysters, raw of course. I guess the old fisherman's tale about never eating raw shellfish in a month that doesn't contain an "R" in it's name is true since I ate my oysters on the half shell in July. That time, if memory serves me correctly, I was thinking that death might be a good alternative to the agony I was suffering. My first experience was even worse. I was working over the summer at my undergraduate college on the grounds crew. After a long day in the hot sun the nice folks in the cafeteria decided to treat us to barbecued chicken cooked outside over an open fire. I certainly ate my fill, and then my girlfriend (future wife) and I took off for points north for a holiday weekend away with family. Half way along our journey my stomach cramps were so severe I could no longer drive. I will spare you the rest of the details, but suffice it to say that the next several days were spent in seclusion close to the bathroom.
While I certainly wouldn't wish my experience on my worst enemy (fortunately I don't have many to choose from), I do think that while I may have been wishing that the grim reaper would come for a visit, my experience was not life threatening in reality. So, I do believe that as one who has consumed raw eggs in the past that perhaps you also will find this article interesting and valuable in navigating the truth or consequences of some of the hype regarding raw eggs. Oh, and by the way I also have similar feelings and thoughts regarding the consumption of raw dairy products.
Enjoy!
Dr. Pfeiffer
by the Alternative Daily
Raw eggs have some serious negative publicity around them, with many people convinced that eating a single raw egg is a guarantee of food poisoning like salmonella. While it's true that raw eggs may be carriers of bacteria, they're not the forebringers of digestive woe that you've always been taught. So what is the truth behind raw eggs - do they offer health benefits or should they be avoided? It turns out the answer is more complicated than you might think...read on to find out more.
While you may make it a point to avoid undercooking your eggs, you could actually be eating raw eggs without even realizing it. Culinary creations such as Ceasar salad dressing, traditional egg nog, holindase sauce, and certain homemade ice cream recipes all call for raw eggs and can be enjoyed by many people who never experience a hint of the dreaded salmonella.
Thankfully, eggs are out of the dog house of a decade ago when they were thought to be villainous contributors to high cholesterol and heart disease. Now, scientific research backs moderate egg consumption as a healthy way to boost your protein intake and get critical nutrients...as long as you don't ruin them with unhealthy ingredients, of course.
Great source of protein
Eggs are one of the best sources of quick, healthy protein that will help you feel full for longer and sustain you till your next meal. Hard-boiled eggs can elevate a salad from a simple snack to a full, filling meal and a single egg provides six grams of essential protein.
Can protect your heart
Eggs are high in phospholipids which contribute to heart health, lower inflammation, and can help protect your ticker from various cardiovascular diseases. Plus, egg yolks, in particular, are rich in choline, a critical nutrient for heart and brain health.
Healthy fat
Your body needs good, healthy fat to function and thankfully, more and more mainstream nutritionists and doctors are coming to realize the true nature of a balanced diet. Of course, it is critical that you eat the right kind of fat. Eggs are just that, with omega-3 fatty acids landing them squarely on the "healthy" side of the fat scale.
But what about raw eggs?
Raw eggs share many of the same benefits as cooked eggs, though there is limited evidence to suggest that the protein from raw eggs is not as easily absorbed by the body. There is not any health-related reason to eat raw eggs instead of cooked, especially since they come with the risk of salmonella.
This bacteria could come from a hen that is contaminated or could be due to the egg resting in a dirty environment already home to the bacteria. Cooking your egg to at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit will zap that lingering bacteria and make it safe to eat.
Though salmonella is usually more of a discomfort rather than a significant threat to you life, it is not fun and leaves the afflicted person with a few days of brutal stomach cramping, nausea, fever, headache, and diarrhea. Plus, it could have even worse effects on pregnant women, older folks, or young children with compromised immune systems. The United States Department of Agriculture strongly advises people to stay away from raw eggs whenever possible.
However, if you have eaten raw eggs recently, there's no need to panic, as the salmonella concern is often blown out of proportion. The chances of you contracting this bacteria from a raw egg are incredibly low since experts estimate that only one in 30,000 eggs is contaminated.
Bottom line, raw eggs probably won't kill you, and they probably won't make you sick, either. But salmonella is something that you want to try to avoid whenever possible, so it is always a good idea to cook your eggs to a safe temperature before enjoying. Wash your hands before preparing eggs and always store them in the refrigerator to slow bacteria growth.
If you have backyard chickens, be sure to practice proper flock management and collect eggs as soon as possible. The longer they sit in the coop, the higher the chance of them becoming contaminated by salmonella. Avoid rinsing eggs until just before use, as this could drive some lingering bacteria through the porous shell.
Remember, always buy pasture-raised, organic eggs whenever possible.