Do darker egg yolks contain more nutrients?

Not all egg yolks are the same. Some are pale yellow, while others are a deep orange, almost red.

Does a darker egg yolk mean it contains more nutrients? - Photo: Fox News

But what does that mean? Does a darker egg yolk mean it contains more nutrients? Fox News Digital spoke with an egg expert to find out.

Are dark-colored egg yolks more nutritious?

According to Lisa Steele, a cookbook author and expert in free-range chicken farming, the color of an egg yolk "depends entirely on the hen's diet." Steele, who lives in Maine, is the founder of Fresh Eggs Daily, a website about chicken farming. She is also the author of The Fresh Eggs Daily Cookbook .

"Foods rich in xanthophyll and carotene, essentially pigments called carotenoids, will give egg yolks a deep orange color," Steele shared. Carotene is found in orange-colored foods, such as carrots, mangoes, cantaloupe, and pumpkins. Xanthophyll can be found in leafy green vegetables, such as spinach and kale.

However, while a darker egg yolk doesn't necessarily mean the chicken ate a nutritious, organic, or fresh diet, "it could be related, as foods containing this pigment are often rich in other nutrients," Steele says.

However, feed companies and commercial egg farms have found ways to create darker egg yolks without using nutrient-rich feedstuffs, Steele said.

These companies "have become smarter and realized that consumers want to see bright orange egg yolks, so they add ingredients like marigolds, chili powder, seaweed, corn, and alfalfa to 'artificially enhance' the color of the egg yolks," she said.

Free-range chicken eggs are often nutritious.

To ensure eggs have the best nutritional value, Steele advises consumers to look for specific labels on egg cartons at the store.

Chickens raised free-range or in open fields tend to lay eggs with a deeper orange yolk, Steele says, "because their diet consists mainly of grass, weeds, and other plants."

It's important to note that "free-range farming" and "free-range grazing" are not the same thing, she said.

Eggs from free-range chickens are the "gold standard," Steele told Fox News Digital, noting that some free-range chickens may still be confined to warehouses their entire lives. Free-range eggs contain less cholesterol and more nutrients, Steele said, thanks to their healthier and more varied diet.

The yolk isn't the only thing that comes in different colors. Eggshells also change color. Unlike the yolk, the color of the eggshell isn't related to the egg's nutritional value, Steele explains.

The coloration "is entirely based on the breed of chicken," Steele said. "Some hens have brown pigmentation, while others have blue pigmentation and some have no pigmentation at all."

Are cracked eggs safe to eat?

The eggshell and membrane serve to protect the inside from harmful bacteria. Steele says she "wouldn't use a cracked egg straight from the box at the store," because it's impossible to know how long it's been cracked.

It's important to check for cracks in eggs before buying them. The eggshell and protective membrane help prevent harmful bacteria, like salmonella, from getting in. "But if I knew I'd just cracked an egg, I'd cook it right away and eat it," she said.

With a recently cracked Steele egg, she says she'll use it, but only if the membrane is intact. "That membrane protects the egg from bacteria," she explains. "You can crack the egg into a small bowl, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or a lid, and use it within two days, ensuring it's fully cooked."

But if the membrane is torn, the egg is not safe for humans to eat, Steele said. However, it is still useful for composting. "The calcium in the eggshell is great for the soil," she shared.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) also provides similar guidance on its website. "Bacteria can enter through cracks in the shell. Never buy cracked eggs," the USDA advises.

Eggs that crack during cooking, such as boiling, "are still safe." These eggs don't need to be thrown away. Also, "remember that all eggs need to be fully cooked," the USDA emphasizes.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/long-do-trung-mau-dam-hon-co-chua-nhieu-chat-dinh-duong-hon-20250113140207217.htm