Is Eating Raw Eggs Dangerous or Not for Health?

Jakarta –

Many people eat raw eggs because they are considered more nutritious than cooked eggs. However, is the assumption that eating raw eggs is healthier true?

Eggs are a practical, healthy and affordable food ingredient. Eggs are also versatile, they can be enjoyed in any way, whether cooked or raw.

Those who choose to consume eggs raw consider that eggs offer better nutrition and quality than cooked eggs.

The egg is simply broken into a glass, then drunk like a normal drink. Some also like to add salt and pepper to make it more seasoned.

However, is it true that drinking or eating raw eggs is healthier than cooked eggs?

In fact, raw eggs can increase the risk of being infected with Salmonella bacteria, which can cause serious illness. There are several other health risks that can arise from consuming raw eggs.

Launching livestrong.com (18/01/2024), the following risks may arise due to consuming raw eggs.

1. Infected with Salmonella

Eating raw eggs risks exposure to Salmonella infection. Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto/EKIN KIZILKAYA

Salmonella is a type of bacteria that appears in raw and undercooked food or drinks.

Likewise, if eggs are consumed raw, there could be Salmonella in them.

This is because Salmonella lives in the intestines of animals, including birds, which can contaminate other parts of the animal. In chickens, Salmonella can contaminate the inside of eggs before the shell forms, reports the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

According to the CDC, Salmonella affects more than 1.3 million people per year and causes more than 400 deaths.

Symptoms that can arise due to Salmonella infection include diarrhea, vomiting, fever and stomach cramps.

2. Not much protein is absorbed

It could be that the protein in the egg ends up not being absorbed much. Photo: iStock

According to The Journal of Nutrition published in October 1998, a small study found that people would absorb 90 percent of the protein from cooked eggs and only 50 percent of the protein from raw eggs.

According to the Egg Nutrition Center, this likely occurs because the tipsin enzyme, which breaks down protein, is blocked by enzymes in raw eggs.

However, further research is needed to determine precise conclusions regarding this matter.

You can read about other risks of consuming raw eggs on the next page