For more than 5,000 years, humans have enjoyed what may be one of nature’s most convenient and nutritious foods — the egg. Today per-person consumption averages around 300 eggs a year.

Why eggs are healthy Eggs provide high protein content for relatively low cost. They’re also relatively low in calories — one medium-sized egg contains just 78 calories.

Eggs contain vitamins B12, C, D, E, and K, as well as the minerals iron and zinc. They’re also a rich source of choline, important for brain functioning and health.

It’s no joke that egg yolks offer infection-fighting vitamin A and phosphatidylcholine, a nutrient that protects the liver and arteries and that can actually prevent the oxidation of cholesterol.

In spite of the egg’s reputation for increasing cholesterol, research has shown that adults can consume at least two eggs per day without increasing their serum cholesterol level.