There are several types of eggs available when it comes to food shopping at the supermarket - we are exposed to various labels like "organic eggs", "free range eggs", just "eggs", etc. and it can sometimes be confusing to work out the difference between these products and importantly, the effect on our wellbeing consuming these eggs can have.
Research featured in a paper in peer reviewed journal Food Chemistry from 2016, looked into vitamin D concentrations when it comes to various types of eggs, and these are some interesting findings we want to share with you.
Eggs and Vitamine D
Eggs are one of the few natural sources rich in vitamin D, containing both vitamin D₃ (D₃) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25(OH)D₃).
Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.
Image on the right: Eggs With Spinach And Mushrooms On Toast recipe by Purely Organic Eggs.
Vitamin D₃ concentration in eggs depends on conditions chickens are hold at the farms
The research paper has found that Vitamin D3 concentrations in free range and organic free-range eggs, were significantly higher than those from chickens bred indoors.
Results demonstrated a higher vitamin D3 concentration in free range and organic eggs compared with indoor eggs, which was perhaps related to increased vitamin D synthesis by birds having more access to sunlight. Egg yolk from free range and organic systems contained a 42% greater concentration of vitamin D3 than those from the indoor system.
Furthermore, levels of 25-hyroxyvitamin D3, the precursor hormone to Vitamin D3, were higher only in organic eggs. Organic egg yolks had a higher (P = 0.001) concentration of 25(OH) D3 than had egg yolks from free range and indoor systems, although no differences were observed between caged and free range systems.
Sources:
- Research featured in a paper in peer reviewed journal Food Chemistry from 2016, "Effect of production system, supermarket and purchase date on the vitamin D content of eggs at retail"
- Comparative Study J Sci Food Agric. 2014 May "Vitamin D fortification of eggs for human health"
Where to buy organic eggs
Rookery Farm www.rookeryfarm.com
Purely Organic eggs www.purelyorganiceggs.co.uk
Duchy Organic British Free Range Eggs www.waitrose.com