Objective: Egg consumption is often discouraged due to cholesterol content; however, recent studies have not demonstrated a clear adverse influence of eggs on blood lipids. Furthermore, exercise training promotes improved lipids and blood pressure. The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of eating an isoenergetic (400 kcal) egg-based (including two eggs per day) versus bagel-based breakfasts, daily, combined with resistance training three times per week, prior to breakfast, on plasma lipids, glucose, insulin, insulin sensitivity and blood pressure in untrained individuals.
Methods: Twenty-five healthy adult men and women (18-35 years of age) participated in the twelve week study following random assignment to study groups. Lipids and blood pressure were examined at baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks.
Results: Plasma triglycerides (TG) decreased significantly in the egg- based breakfast (EBB) group from baseline to six weeks (p = 0.011) and from six to twelve weeks (p = 0.045). A significant (p = 0.033) decrease in insulin sensitivity was observed in the bagel-based breakfast (BBB) group from zero to six weeks. No significant effects on systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein- cholesterol or low density lipoprotein cholesterol were detected.
Conclusion: Overall, daily breakfasts including two eggs for twelve weeks did not adversely affect lipids during a resistance training program and promoted improvements in plasma TG.
Keywords: ACE = angiotensin converting enzyme; AHA = American Heart Association; ANOVA = analysis of variance; BG = blood glucose; BP = blood pressure; CHO = carbohydrate; CVD = cardiovascular disease; DBP = diastolic blood pressure; EDTA = ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; ELISA = enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; HDL-C = high density lipoprotein cholesterol; IS = insulin sensitivity; MUFA = monounsaturated fatty acids; PAR-Q = Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire; PUFA = polyunsaturated fatty acids; SBP = systolic blood pressure; TC = total cholesterol; TG = triglycerides.; blood pressure; egg; insulin; plasma lipids; training.