A new study from Loma Linda University Health finds that older adults who eat eggs regularly may have a significantly lower risk of Alzheimer's disease. The research, published in the Journal of Nutrition, tracked roughly 40,000 adults aged 65 and older for an average of 15.3 years. Those who ate one egg a day, at least five days a week, saw their Alzheimer's risk drop by up to 27% compared to non-egg eaters. Even eating eggs just two to four times per week was associated with a 20% lower risk.
Why eggs? Researchers credit nutrients like choline, DHA, and vitamin B12, which support brain health and reduce inflammation.
But there are important caveats. The study was partly funded by the American Egg Board, though it was peer-reviewed. It's also observational, meaning it shows an association, not cause and effect. The participants were mostly Seventh-day Adventists, a group that tends to have healthier lifestyles than the general population.
Alzheimer's is projected to cost the U.S. $600 billion annually by 2050. A dozen eggs costs a few dollars. While no single food is a cure, the potential upside is hard to ignore.