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Studies have proven to a great extent that country chicken eggs are more nutritious than poultry eggs. In the market, we find eggs of two colors: one with a white shell and the other with a brown shell.
Do you know why chickens lay brown-colored eggs? Which one is better? Which one has more nutrition?
Many people believe that since brown eggs are more expensive, they must also be more nutritious. On the other hand, some say the opposite. What do the experts say about this? Let’s find out.
The reason why chicken eggs are white or brown:
The color of the egg actually depends on the breed and genetics of the chicken.
Generally, chickens with white feathers lay white eggs, while chickens with darker feathers lay brown eggs. However, the Leghorn breed of chicken, regardless of its color, always lays white eggs. Sometimes, even white chickens can lay brown eggs. The brown color of the egg shell is mainly due to a substance produced by a gland in the chicken’s reproductive tract.
A study by Michigan State University claims that it generally takes about 26 hours for an egg to form inside a chicken. First, the chicken’s reproductive system forms the egg yolk. Then, over the next 3 hours, the albumin (the egg white) forms around the yolk. After that, for an hour, the membrane beneath the shell begins to form.
After that, a gland near the tail forms the hard outer shell of the egg. This process takes the most time, about 20 hours.
Initially, the shell of all eggs is almost white. They add the color in the final stages of egg formation. This color comes from a pigment present in the chicken’s body. However, in white eggs, they do not add any color. Some studies also suggest that if chickens are under stress or as they age, the color of their eggs tends to lighten.
Generally, dual-purpose breeds, which are raised for both eggs and meat, lay brown eggs. These chickens are larger in size, so they require more food, resulting in higher egg production costs. On the other hand, white-feathered chickens have cheaper reproduction costs, as they need less food compared to brown egg-laying chickens. As a result, white eggs are usually less expensive than brown eggs.
Which egg has more nutrition?
Does the color of the egg make a difference in its nutritional value? According to nutritionists, the color of the egg does not affect its nutritional quality. A study by a group of experts in New York suggests that brown eggs contain slightly more omega-3 fatty acids than white eggs. However, the difference is so small that it is negligible. Therefore, the nutritional value of both white and brown eggs is almost the same. So, regardless of the egg’s color, it can be eaten with confidence.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a 50-gram egg contains 72 calories and about 5 grams of fat. These two nutritional values are almost the same in both white and brown-shelled eggs. However, the market demands omega-3 enriched eggs, organic eggs, and eggs from free-range or country chickens. In this case, the color of the egg shell is not important. What matters more is the type of food the chicken is eating and the environment in which it is raised.
According to nutritionists, chickens that forage for natural, nutritious food tend to lay eggs with higher levels of vitamins A, E, omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, and fats. On the other hand, eggs from farm-raised chickens may have slightly lower amounts of these vitamins and minerals but tend to have higher protein content and lower fat.
According to poultry experts, household chickens, which spend more time in the sun, tend to lay eggs with higher levels of vitamins A and E. However, sometimes eggs from farm-raised chickens, which are fed a regulated diet, can be more nutritious than those from household chickens.
There is often discussion about the dark color of egg yolks. Eggs with darker yolks typically contain more vitamin A, carotenoids, and minerals. However, this also depends on what the chicken is eating. Sometimes, carotenoid-rich food or injections are given to darken the yolk color. It is said that if all chickens are fed the same food, there will be no significant difference in nutritional content.
Source: TV9 Bangla
