Eggs and Alzheimer’s: What You Should Know
- The Health Digest
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
If you enjoy eggs for breakfast, there may be another reason to keep them on the menu.
A new study of nearly 40,000 adults age 65 and older found that people who ate eggs regularly were less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease during the study period. Those who ate five or more eggs a week had a 27% lower risk compared with people who reported never eating eggs.
But there’s an important catch: the study does not prove that eating eggs prevents Alzheimer’s. It found an association between egg consumption and a lower risk of developing the disease.
Still, the findings are interesting—especially for adults over 50 who are thinking more about protecting their memory and staying healthy as they age.
What the Researchers Found
Researchers followed 39,498 men and women age 65 and older for an average of about 15 years. The participants were part of the long-running Adventist Health Study-2, and many followed largely plant-based diets.
During the study, 2,858 participants were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
When researchers compared egg consumption with Alzheimer’s diagnoses, they found that people who ate eggs had a lower risk than those who never ate them.
The association became stronger as egg consumption increased:
Eating eggs 1 to 3 times a month was associated with a 17% lower risk.
Eating eggs 2 to 4 times a week was associated with a 20% lower risk.
Eating 5 or more eggs a week was associated with a 27% lower risk.
That doesn't mean five eggs a week is a magic number—or that eating more eggs will necessarily make your memory better. It simply reflects what researchers observed in this particular group of older adults.
Why Might Eggs Be Helpful?
One reason researchers are interested in eggs is their nutritional profile.
Egg yolks are particularly rich in choline, a nutrient the body uses to make acetylcholine, a chemical messenger involved in memory, muscle control, and other functions.
Eggs also provide vitamin B12, which helps maintain healthy nerve cells and supports normal brain function. A large egg contains about 0.6 micrograms of B12.
The yolk also contains phospholipids, which play important roles in cell health and the function of nerve cells.
So while an egg isn't a treatment for Alzheimer's, it does provide several nutrients that are important for maintaining a healthy body and brain.
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What About Cholesterol?
This is where things get a little more complicated.
A large egg contains roughly 186 milligrams of cholesterol. For years, that number caused many people to limit eggs or avoid the yolk altogether.
Today, the bigger picture matters. Your overall eating pattern, blood cholesterol levels, heart health, and other risk factors all play a role in deciding how eggs fit into your diet.
For many healthy adults, moderate egg consumption can be part of a balanced diet. But if you've been told you have high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, or another condition that affects your diet, it's worth asking your doctor or dietitian how many eggs make sense for you.
Eggs Aren't the Only Choice
If you don't eat eggs—or simply want more variety—you can get brain-supporting nutrients from other foods.
Choline, for example, is found in foods such as soybeans, quinoa, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, and mushrooms.
And protecting your brain isn't about one particular food.
A healthy eating pattern, regular physical activity, good sleep, maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and staying socially and mentally active all matter when it comes to healthy aging.
The Bottom Line for Adults Over 50
If you enjoy eggs, this new research gives you another reason not to fear them.
But don't think of eggs as an Alzheimer’s-prevention food. The study found a connection between regular egg consumption and lower Alzheimer’s risk; it did not establish that eating eggs directly prevents the disease.
For adults over 50, the smarter takeaway is simple: keep looking at the big picture. Eggs can be a convenient source of protein, choline, vitamin B12, and other nutrients—and they can fit into a nutritious diet when eaten in a way that's appropriate for your individual health needs.
If you're wondering whether five eggs a week is right for you, your cholesterol numbers and overall heart-health picture are more important than any single headline.
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