I do believe that happy hens produce healthy eggs. This is why I always choose to buy free-range eggs whenever possible. Not only appreciating the fact that I don’t indirectly abuse birds, but free-range eggs are proved to contain nutritional benefits far superior than those found in eggs produced by hens in battery cages or other conventional means.
To begin with, the term ‘free-range’ or ‘cage-free’ eggs are eggs produced using birds that are allowed to roam freely in a farmyard, a shed or a chicken coop. However, the term ‘free-range’ may be used differently depending on the country and its law.
Many people believe that eating eggs will lead to high cholesterol.
However, studies showed higher levels of Omega 3 and Vitamins A and E, and lower levels of total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and Omega 6 found in free-range eggs compared to battery-cage eggs.
We can notice the difference in appearance of free-range eggs easily. Yolk from free-range eggs is raised up like in the picture and the color of the yolk is darker, and the white egg is thicker. We will never find these characters in eggs from factory farm.
There are other benefits of eggs to our body such as:
- Lutein and Zeaxanthin in the yolk can reduce the risks related macular degeneration (AMD) in the elderly which is the leading cause of blindness in people over 50 years.
- The white eggs act on the mucous membranes of the digestive tract and may help in the treatment of digestive ailments.
- Eggs are excellent source of protein, B vitamins (thiamine and riboflavin), vitamin D, vitamin A, and the minerals calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and iron.
- Most of the nutrients are in the yolk because water contains up to 74% of an egg, although the white does contain thiamine.
- Egg white, whisked to a froth with a drop of vinegar or milk, makes a soothing face mask.
- Whisked egg white also provides relief for diaper rash, and sore, cracked nipples.
- Egg yolk makes an excellent tonic for the hair and can be used in both shampoos and conditioners.
- The iron in eggs is more easily made available to the body if foods containing vitamin C such as organe or grapefruit juice are eaten with the egg.
-To relieve the irritation of chilblains, make a paste with egg white, honey, and flour; smear over the chilblains and cover with a clean bandage.
For pregnant women, elderly and ill people, consumption of raw eggs should be avoid because of high cholesterol content of eggs. People with a history of heart disease should confine their consumption of eggs to the whites only, or restrict their consumption to two or three whole eggs a week.
Happy hens will produce healthy eggs that will make us live healthy!
