Soft-boiled eggs: health benefits and harms

The benefits of eggs, like any other food, depend on how much and in what form they are consumed. The controversy surrounding such a product does not subside. Those who follow a “light” diet believe that egg yolk contains a lot of cholesterol, so they should be excluded from the diet. You can leave only the protein part, which is characterized by low calorie content, rich in vitamin and mineral composition, and the presence of amino acids. As for the protein, everything is true, but the yolks also have useful qualities. Cholesterol, which scares away many, really, is contained in them, but it does not work at all like an animal.

What is the difference between a soft-boiled egg and a hard-boiled egg

The difference between these types of dishes is different cooking times and the consistency of the finished product. So, the soft-boiled egg is cooked for two to three minutes, while the yolk has a liquid structure. As for the hard-boiled egg, it takes up to ten minutes to cook it. The yolk of such a product is thick.

Which eggs are healthier: hard boiled or soft-boiled

Soft-boiled egg preparation involves a processing method that does not exceed three minutes. It is believed that with such heat treatment in the product retains all the beneficial properties. Regarding a hard-boiled egg, it is worth noting that it is not recommended to cook it for more than ten minutes. Otherwise, it will become rubbery to the taste and, in addition, harmful elements may begin to develop in it.

If we compare both of these products, we can conclude that hard-boiled eggs and soft-boiled eggs have almost the same calorie content and are characterized by the same useful components. Soft-boiled egg yolk not everyone will like it. Hard-boiled eggs can be used as an ingredient for salads or act as an independent dish.

Composition and calorie content

Soft-boiled egg is full of vitamins and minerals. It contains:

1. Vitamin A - helps preserve vision and strengthen immunity.
2. Vitamin B1 - takes part in the metabolism of carbohydrates.
3. B2 - synthesizes antibodies that provide cellular respiration.
4. B5 - helps eliminate the depressive state, participates in carbohydrate and protein metabolism.
5. B6 - provides the production of hydrochloric acid, improves the absorption of proteins and fats.
6. B12 - prevents the development of anemia, provides normal digestion.
7. Vitamin D - in the composition of the product is responsible for calcium-phosphorus metabolism, protects against the occurrence of osteoporosis.
8. Vitamin H - helps the nervous system to work in a normal rhythm.
9. PP - restores the secretion of gastric juice, protects against the appearance of dermatitis.

The mineral composition of the soft-boiled egg is represented by the content of phosphorus involved in the metabolism of calcium, which supports the health of bone tissue, sulfur, necessary for the formation of protein. The product also has iodine, which helps synthesize thyroid hormones, iron, which produces hemoglobin and carries oxygen in the body. In addition, substances such as zinc, molybdenum and others were found.

What are the benefits of soft-boiled eggs

General benefit

Most consumers of egg products are afraid of high cholesterol. Yes, it is present here, but it differs from animal fat cholesterol and has a positive effect on the body.Due to such a substance, the functioning of cell membranes is normalized.

There is “bad” and “good” cholesterol, and both of them must be in the human body. It is important that a balance is maintained between them, since this substance performs vital functions and even takes on the work of other elements. For example, if there is very little calcium in the body, its functions can be performed precisely by cholesterol. It splits quite quickly. Due to the presence of phospholipids contained in the yolk of the product, excess cholesterol is dissolved. As a result of this, the body receives invaluable benefits. For example, with skin lesions, the regeneration process is faster.

For women

The value of the egg yolk for the female half lies in the fact that it contains a large amount of choline, which protects the outer membrane of cells from destruction. Scientists have proven that regular consumption of two soft-boiled eggs every day reduces the likelihood of breast cancer.

A high iron content in the yolk is necessary for the female body during menstruation. Also found in it is vitamin D, which is especially necessary for women who, for some reason, can not regularly visit the fresh air.

Chicken egg protein is a source of protein that is digested even better than fresh meat. This feature of the product provides the body with fast and high-quality saturation. American researchers have found that two boiled eggs for breakfast help to quickly lose weight.

For men

Soft-boiled eggs are also good for men. First of all, such a product helps in the formation of muscle tissue by reducing subcutaneous fat and increasing muscle. Eggs contain healthy fats that can increase human stamina. They also contribute to an increase in the production of the hormone testosterone, which has a beneficial effect on the sex life of men and preserves the health of the prostate.

Most of the male population suffers from diseases of the cardiovascular system, for this reason men die much earlier than women. Regular inclusion of boiled eggs in the diet will help protect the body from blood clots, the development of stroke and heart attack.

During pregnancy

During pregnancy planning and when bearing the fetus, it is recommended to use soft-boiled eggs, as they contain a significant amount of folic acid, which is necessary for normal growth and development of the fetus. In addition, such products contain many other useful substances that can protect the future mother's body from various diseases.

When breastfeeding

The use of boiled eggs can support the health of a young mother and her baby, as they contain vitamin D. It protects the child’s body from the development of rickets, ensures the absorption of calcium, and also improves the condition of the hair and skin of the woman herself. Iron in the composition of such a dish increases the level of hemoglobin in both the child and the mother. The antibacterial substances in the composition protect the body of the baby and woman from various bacteria.

The cholesterol contained in the egg is necessary for infants in that it promotes the formation of the immune system and hormonal levels. Breast milk at the same time becomes more nutritious. When eating a boiled egg, some health problems may occur associated with impaired stool, nausea, allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma. Such a product should be introduced into the diet during lactation gradually, observing the reaction of the baby, and it can be started a couple of months after the birth.

For children

The components of soft-boiled eggs are important in the growth and development of the child's body. They have a large amount of nutrients whose benefits are invaluable. The protein contains amino acids that increase brain activity, develop germ cells, improve metabolism and strengthen the body's protective membrane.

The yellow part of the egg contains lecithin, which is necessary for blood formation, the functioning of the nervous system.

You can introduce a child to egg yolk at the age of 7–8 months. Protein needs to be introduced into baby food after a year, as it can provoke an allergic reaction.

When losing weight

Boiled eggs, eaten together with the yellow part, are a faithful assistant in the fight against excess weight. Their main role is to help overcome hunger. The high content of protein in them makes the product very satisfying, while their caloric content is quite low.

In addition, an egg is capable of burning calories, since more energy is needed to digest protein than to process fats and carbohydrates. Protein helps build muscle. This product also prevents sudden surges in glucose and insulin in the blood, which lead to the deposition of fat.

Egg dishes must be present in the diet of losing weight people. They found a large amount of choline, which stops the absorption of fat and stimulates the burning of body fat.

Soft-boiled eggs in medicine

Raw eggs are used in medicine to treat burns, severe coughing, bronchitis, and even pneumonia. Soft-boiled eggs retain all these useful qualities, since the heat treatment in this case is insignificant and does not affect them in any way.

Egg is one of the most valuable products that are used to make diet food for various diseases.

With diabetes

Boiled eggs can be consumed by patients with diabetes mellitus, but their number should not exceed two. For breakfast, you can eat one soft-boiled egg. At the same time with such a dish should not eat a sandwich using butter. This is due to the fact that, although in a moderate amount, there is still cholesterol in animal oil that is dangerous for diabetics.

With pancreatitis

With a disease such as pancreatitis, doctors advise using soft-boiled eggs for food, since this particular cooking option is considered the safest and has a beneficial effect on digestion processes and normalization of the digestive gland functions. Cooking such a dish involves immersing the eggs in boiled water for three minutes, no more, this is enough to curl the protein. Such a dish, if desired, can be divided and use only protein in food.

Quail eggs can be eaten completely, but this will require appropriate heat treatment. Fried eggs are contraindicated, since they create a load for the pancreas and can cause an exacerbation of the disease.

With gastritis

Gastritis with varying degrees of acidity involves the use of eggs, but only if they are soft-boiled. Doctors recommend eating no more than two or three pieces a week. If the disease has a chronic form, prepare the dish as follows: first rinse the food in water, and then place it in a container of water. When the liquid boils, continue cooking for two minutes.

For constipation

Often, the opinions of experts regarding the form in which it is better to eat eggs differ. Some people believe that vitamins and mineral compounds can be stored in the product only in a raw state and are destroyed by heat treatment. Others insist that a raw product can be very dangerous to health. In this case, it is better to use the minimum heat treatment to prepare the dish, in which the useful components of the raw, necessarily fresh product are preserved, but pathogenic microorganisms die at the same time.

People suffering from constipation are advised to consume no more than 1-2 soft-boiled eggs so as not to worsen the condition.

Harm and contraindications

Since when getting a soft-boiled egg, there is not enough exposure to high temperatures, there is a risk of contracting a disease such as salmonellosis.To protect the body from an upset bowel, you should thoroughly wash both the hands and the eggs themselves. You need to cook for a certain time, depending on which eggs of which bird are used.

Chicken eggs are known to contain a lot of cholesterol, which is the cause of many diseases. Of course, if you eat five each day, the level of cholesterol in the body will increase significantly. If you adhere to the recommendations of specialists, no problems will arise. If a person has high cholesterol and is shown a special diet to reduce weight, he can only use protein in food.

Diabetes mellitus is a disease that requires a moderate amount of eggs consumed.

Very often, it is the eggs that cause allergic reactions, especially in childhood. If there are unpleasant consequences after eating such a product, you should limit its use, you can also remove protein or try replacing quail eggs. If this does not help, you must completely exclude this product from your diet.

Soft-boiled chicken eggs combine both beneficial and harmful properties, so it is important to eat them in the right amount.

How much can you keep soft-boiled eggs

When preparing such a dish, the egg yolk remains unprocessed completely, therefore, even in the refrigerator, it can be stored for no more than two days. After this time, the product is dangerous poisoning, so if such eggs are stagnant in the refrigerator, it is better to refuse their use.

It is recommended to keep soft-boiled eggs with the shell. For storage, it is better to use not the appliance door, but a special food container. Raw yolk eggs are not recommended for travel.

To extend the shelf life of eggs, the shell must be treated with vegetable oil or cook them with the addition of onion husks. If the product has darkened or has an unpleasant smell, it is necessary to get rid of it.

How to cook soft-boiled eggs

To prepare such a dish, only fresh products should be used. To check the freshness of the eggs, it is necessary to dip them in a bowl of cold water. If they sink to the bottom, then they are fresh. If the eggs have risen to the surface of the water, then they are already rotten and it is not worth using them for food.

Chicken

Soft-boiled egg is prepared using various methods. For example, you can put it in cold water, put on fire and cook for three to four minutes from the moment of boiling liquid. This option is called a cold bookmark.

There is another option, when the eggs are already immersed in boiling water and boiled for only one minute. This heat treatment is called a hot bookmark. After boiling, it is recommended to leave the eggs in a hot liquid for a few more minutes.

Quail

When cold laying quail eggs soft-boiled for one to two minutes over high heat.

Goose

To cook soft-boiled goose eggs, pour water into a saucepan and put it on a small fire. Next, gently lower the eggs into the liquid so that the eggshell does not crack. Add some salt to the water. From the moment of boiling, cooking should be carried out for ten minutes. After this period, drain the hot water and fill the eggs with cold liquid.

It should be noted that fresh eggs should cook for five minutes longer than those that have been stored in the refrigerator for some time.

How to clean soft-boiled eggs

To peel an egg cooked soft-boiled, you should lightly tap on its top with a spoon, it can be a special or the simplest device. Some are accustomed to knocking on a wider part, while some believe that it is much easier to peel an egg with a sharper one.If you use a spoon or knife, you can remove the shell on both sides. It is necessary to tap several times along the egg so as to split its top. Next, you need to remove the shell using a spoon, or clean it with your hands. You can push a spoon into the space between the egg and the shell to make it easier.

You can use special scissors for these purposes. The ring of such scissors should be put on the pointed part of the egg. This device has handles, at the end of such a device there is a ring in the form of a circle, this ring is worn on the narrow side of the egg. After that it is necessary to squeeze the handles. Next, the circular part of the scissors is rotated around the product. This will allow you to cut the peel around the entire circumference. Using these scissors, you can cut off about 1.5 cm from the top of the egg. Sometimes the shell is separated with such a device, in some cases it is additionally required to use a spoon or clean the product with your fingers.

Interesting Egg Facts

1. There is a special breed of laying hens that bring about three hundred eggs during the year. In order to lay one egg, the bird needs more than a day. Such chickens can be carried even without the participation of a male.
2. From one ostrich egg, the same amount of fried eggs can be obtained as if 25 chicken were used for this.
3. Often in one egg you can find several yolks. It is known that the largest number that were found in one egg is nine.
4. There is a worldwide egg day. This "holiday" is celebrated in mid-October.
5. To get a hard-boiled ostrich egg, you should cook it for about two hours.
6. The surface of medium-sized eggshells has 17 thousand small pores through which various odors can penetrate into the eggs. For this reason, it is recommended to store such a product away from various odors.
7. In some countries, the balut dish is very popular. It is a boiled duck egg in which a fetus with plumage, cartilage and beak is already formed.
8. In China, they learned to make eggs artificially. The shell of such a product is made of calcium carbonate, as a result of which it is rough and shiny. To obtain protein, gelatin and food coloring are used.
9. In some countries of the world there are monuments to eggs.
10. Kinder Surprise chocolate eggs appeared in Italy at the end of the last century.

Soft-boiled egg photo