For a long time, it has been believed that the cholesterol found in eggs contributes to heart disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. In Mexico, four out of ten adults have high cholesterol, which leads many of us to wonder: can I eat eggs if I have high triglycerides?

This belief was not unfounded, as eggs do contain higher levels of cholesterol than many other foods and for a long time, various health and nutrition institutions supported the idea that they were not advisable.

However, eggs are also packed with beneficial bioactive compounds and other nutrients that combat diseases, and recent research indicates that the link between eating eggs and an increased risk of heart disease may not be as strong as once thought.

Now the restrictions that once existed regarding egg consumption have decreased, but many people still worry that eggs may be harmful to their heart health, so it is important to determine whether eggs can be consumed when someone has high triglycerides.

Let's start with the basics. According to the Mayo Clinic, “triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood,” which come from calories that the body does not use immediately and converts into lipids.

Once converted into triglycerides, they are stored in fat cells and used for energy between meals, but if you consume more calories than you burn, then you may have high triglycerides.

Having elevated triglyceride levels can lead to thickening or hardening of the arteries, and elevated triglyceride levels can be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

When looking to control triglyceride levels, the first recommendation is to limit foods that contain saturated fats, but eating eggs in moderation can be part of a low-triglyceride diet, as one egg contains 1.6 grams of saturated fat, according to the USDA. 

On the other hand, current research suggests that egg consumption does not seem to raise triglyceride levels. A meta-analysis of 28 trials, published in February 2018 in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, reported that egg consumption increased total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, but not triglyceride concentrations compared to a low-egg diet.

While your dietary choices may contribute to elevated triglyceride levels, these can also result from genetics or certain medical conditions or medications. Some foods that may contribute to elevated triglyceride levels include:

Although more long-term studies are needed, most people can eat eggs in moderation while managing their triglyceride levels. Remember that for a more complete picture of your cardiovascular risk, it is best to consult your doctor about it.