Can You Eat Raw Eggs? Health Benefits and Risks Explained

Eggs are a nutritious slam dunk if you want to add more protein and nutrients to your diet.

They contain essential micro and macronutrients and have been featured in many scientific studies.

However, the nutrition profile of raw eggs and cooked eggs has some marked differences, including the fact that eating raw eggs or foods containing them raises concerns about the risk of contracting a Salmonella infection.

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Here are some of the health benefits and concerns of eating raw eggs.

Raw eggs nutrition facts

Just like cooked eggs, raw eggs are incredibly nutritious.

They’re rich in:

• high-quality protein
• healthy fats
• vitamins
• minerals
• eye-protecting antioxidants
• various other nutrients

One large raw egg contains:

• Protein: 6 grams
• Fat: 5 grams
• Magnesium: 6 mg (1% of your daily value)
• Calcium: 28 mg (2% of your daily value)
• Phosphorus: 99 mg (8% of your daily value)
• Potassium: 69 mg (1% of your daily value)
• Vitamin D: 41 IU (5% of your daily value)

In addition, one raw egg contains 147 mg of choline (27% of your daily value), an essential nutrient that has been shown to positively impact brain function. Choline may also play a role in heart health.

Raw eggs are also high in lutein and zeaxanthin. These essential antioxidants protect your eyes and may reduce your risk of age-related eye diseases.

It’s important to note that almost all these nutrients are concentrated in the yolk. The egg white mainly consists of protein.

Summary: Raw eggs are nutrient-dense and packed with protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that protect your eyes, brain, and heart. The yolks contain most of the nutrients.

Raw eggs may decrease protein absorption

Eggs are one of the best sources of animal protein available.

They contain all nine essential amino acids. For this reason, they’re often referred to as a “complete” protein source.

However, according to one very small, older study, eating raw eggs may decrease your absorption of these high-quality proteins.

The study compared the absorption of protein from both cooked and raw eggs in 5 people and found that 90% of the protein in cooked eggs was absorbed, while only 50% of the protein in raw eggs was absorbed.

Suggested read: Egg Whites Nutrition: High Protein, Low Calories & Fat

This absorption issue is something to consider if eggs are your primary protein source, but the study’s size and age make it impossible to draw any definitive conclusions.

Summary: It’s possible that your body absorbs less protein from raw eggs compared to cooked eggs, but more research is needed.

Raw egg whites may hinder biotin absorption

Biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin, also known as vitamin B7.

This vitamin is involved in your body’s glucose and fatty acid production. It’s also crucial during pregnancy.

While egg yolks provide an excellent dietary source of biotin, raw egg whites contain avidin, a protein that binds to biotin in the small intestine, preventing its absorption. Heat destroys avidin, so this is not an issue when the egg has been cooked.

Even if you eat raw eggs, it’s highly unlikely it will lead to actual biotin deficiency. For that to happen, you would need to consume large amounts of raw eggs daily.

Summary: Raw egg whites contain the protein avidin, which may block the absorption of biotin, a water-soluble B vitamin. However, it’s unlikely to cause deficiency unless you eat large quantities of raw eggs.

Raw eggs can be contaminated with bacteria

Raw and undercooked eggs may contain Salmonella, a type of harmful bacteria.

Salmonella contamination can happen in one of two ways:

• either directly during the formation of an egg inside the hen
• indirectly when Salmonella contaminates the outside of the egg and penetrates through the shell membrane

Indirect contamination can occur during production, handling, or food preparation.

Suggested read: How Many Calories Are in an Egg? Nutrition & Benefits

Consuming contaminated eggs can cause food poisoning.

Symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning include stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. These symptoms usually appear 6 hours to 6 days after infection and may last 4 to 7 days.

Between 1995 and 2002, eggs were identified as the source of 53% of all Salmonella cases reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2013, it was estimated that Salmonella caused around 1 million illnesses in the United States.

Pasteurization is one method often employed to prevent Salmonella contamination. This process uses heat treatment to reduce the number of bacteria and other microorganisms in foods.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) considers it safe to use in-shell raw eggs if they are pasteurized.

Summary: Raw eggs may contain pathogenic bacteria called Salmonella, which can cause food poisoning. Using pasteurized eggs lowers the risk of contracting a Salmonella infection.

Salmonella infection can be riskier for certain people

While most people who experience Salmonella food poisoning recover quickly, some are at higher risk for severe symptoms.

Those who are older, pregnant, have compromised immune systems, and young children should avoid eating raw eggs and foods containing them — especially if the eggs have not been pasteurized.

Summary: Young children, pregnant people, older adults, and those with compromised immune systems should avoid eating raw eggs.

How to minimize the risk of bacterial infection

According to the CDC, there are several ways to minimize the risk of contracting a Salmonella infection:

• Buy pasteurized eggs and egg products, which are available in some supermarkets.
• Only buy eggs kept in the refrigerated food section of the grocery store.
• Keep eggs refrigerated at home. Storing them at room temperature may encourage rapid growth of harmful bacteria.
• Don’t buy or consume eggs past their expiration date.
• Discard cracked or dirty eggs.
• Wash hands and anything else that may have come into contact with raw eggs.

While all these steps help, one of the best ways to eliminate the risk of contracting Salmonella is to cook eggs thoroughly.

Suggested read: Can You Eat Expired Eggs? Safety Tips & Storage Guide

Summary: Buying pasteurized and refrigerated eggs lowers the risk of Salmonella infection. Proper storage and handling after purchase are also necessary.

Summary

Raw eggs have many of the same nutritional benefits as cooked eggs.

However, protein absorption may be lower from raw eggs, and biotin uptake may be inhibited.

Most concerning is the risk of raw eggs being contaminated with bacteria that can lead to Salmonella infection. Buying pasteurized eggs will lower your risk of infection.