Eggs – What Are the Health Benefits? Discover the Medicinal Power of Eggs

Eggs – What Are the Health Benefits? Discover the Medicinal Power of Eggs

Whether fried, boiled, or even raw, eggs are loved by nearly everyone—young and old alike. Athletes often consume them raw as a rich source of protein to support muscle growth. But beyond taste and tradition, what makes eggs such a revered food in both modern nutrition and ancient medicine?

In this article from Arabic Cook Blog, we delve into the health benefits and therapeutic properties of this humble yet powerful food.

Historically, eggs have been considered a food of exceptionally high nutritional value, vital to human health. Al-Bayhaqi, in his book Al-Iman, relays a report from a Prophet who complained to God about weakness and was instructed through divine revelation to eat eggs.

The legendary physician Ibn Sina (Avicenna), in his canonical medical work The Canon of Medicine, described egg yolk as warm and moist, able to produce good-quality blood with minimal waste. He noted it as a gentle nourishment that digests quickly—especially when the yolk is soft—making it ideal for the weak and convalescent.

Other traditional physicians praised egg yolk for its healing powers:

– It soothes pain
– Softens the throat and windpipe
– Helps with coughs and ulcers of the lungs, kidneys, and bladder
– Soothes roughness in the throat, especially when mixed with sweet almond oil
– Aids in relieving chest congestion and acts as a natural expectorant

As for egg whites, they were used in traditional medicine to:
– Cool inflamed eyes and reduce heat-induced swelling
– Soothe burns when applied topically
– Relieve symptoms of sunstroke when placed on the forehead
– Alleviate bronchial inflammation when mixed with frankincense

Yolk, in particular, was known to strengthen the heart. Its rapid absorption and efficient transformation into blood were believed to produce a form of nourishment very compatible with the blood that fuels the heart muscle.

Modern science supports the ancient view: eggs are a complete food, providing nearly all essential nutrients the human body needs. They are rich in high-quality proteins, essential fats, vitamins (like A, D, E, B12), choline (important for brain function), and minerals like iron and selenium.

Interestingly, modern research has also debunked the long-standing fear of cholesterol in eggs. One study found that men over the age of forty who consumed ten or more eggs per week had lower blood cholesterol levels than those who ate three or fewer eggs weekly. This surprising result highlights the complex and beneficial relationship between egg consumption and cholesterol regulation in the body.

So, what’s the healthiest way to consume eggs? Nutritionists and traditional healers alike recommend eating the yolk raw or barshat—a Persian term meaning “half-boiled” or soft-boiled—as the ideal method to preserve its nutritional and medicinal properties.

In essence, eggs are not just a breakfast staple—they’re a timeless superfood packed with healing energy and vital nourishment for the body and soul.