Eggs are a powerhouse of nutrition, with one raw egg having about 72 calories, 5 grams of fat, 6 grams of protein, high percentages of vitamins B5 and B12, and virtually no carbs. However, a single egg also contains 186 milligrams of cholesterol, which is more than half the daily recommended value of 300 milligrams, making one wonder how many eggs you can safely eat in a day.

A 2018 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed that it may be safe to consume 12 or more eggs per week as part of a balanced diet. While egg yolks are high in cholesterol, the main culprit of raising DHL (the “bad” cholesterol) is the added saturated fats that come from foods like oil, butter, and cream.

While a 2022 study published in the Circulation journal did note that eating one large egg per day can increase the risk of heart disease, it didn’t take into account the participants' diet and other lifestyle factors. Frying an egg in butter or eating it alongside a serving of bacon is more likely to increase bad cholesterol levels.

Eggs have a bad rap because of their cholesterol content, but on the contrary, egg consumption can actually lower the risk of heart disease, elevated cholesterol, and death from all causes. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study that found eating more than 12 eggs per week for three months didn't increase levels of cholesterol.