Almost all of the food menus that we eat every day include eggs as the main ingredient. There are those who like chicken eggs, but not a few who prefer duck eggs. Well, it turns out that the nutritional content and benefits contained in duck eggs are good for the health of the body.
Content in duck eggs
You will often find duck eggs as a basic ingredient for several types of food, such as martabak or egg crust.
Indeed, what is the difference between duck eggs and chicken eggs?
According to the journal Egg Innovations and Strategies for Improvements, the water content in duck eggs is less than in chicken eggs.
That is why duck eggs are richer in nutritional content.
For more details, here is a row of ingredients in 100 grams (g) of duck eggs:
1. Water: 70 g
2. Energy: 187 Calories (Cal)
3. Protein: 11.8 g
4. Fat: 14.2 g
5. Carbs: 3 g
6. Calcium: 60 milligrams (mg)
7. Phosphorus: 268 mg
8. Iron: 6 mg
9. Sodium: 115 mg
10. Potassium: 80 mg
11. Zinc (zinc): 1.7 mg
12. Vitamin A (retinol): 180 micrograms (mcg)
13. Carotene: 437 mcg
14. Thiamin (vitamin B1): 1.55 mg
15. Riboflavin (vitamin B2): 0.37 mg
16. Vitamin B12 : 5.40 mcg
17. Niacin: 0.1 mg
18. Folate: 80 mcg
19. Choline: 263 mg
20. Lutein + zeaxanthin: 459 mcg
As you can see for yourself, the nutrients contained in 100 g of duck eggs alone are able to meet quite a lot of your nutritional needs.
This includes macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats and micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals.
Not surprisingly, these eggs have various benefits for the health of the body.
Health benefits of duck eggs
Here are the various benefits of duck eggs that you must know:
1. Protect eye health
You can find lutein and zeaxanthin in duck eggs which play a role in maintaining eye health.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are antioxidants that help protect your eyes from a variety of diseases, from cataracts to macular degeneration.
Not only that, you can also reduce the risk of eye fatigue due to exposure to blue light from electronic devices with sufficient intake of lutein and zeaxanthin.
2. Optimizing brain function
Another benefit that you can get from eating duck eggs is increased brain function.
One of the ingredients in duck eggs, namely choline, plays a major role in biochemical reactions in the brain. Choline also accelerates the release of the protein acetylcholine in the brain.
These proteins help the brain perform basic functions, including memory.
Low acetylcholine levels are often associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Therefore, the intake of choline that you get from duck eggs also helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
3. Prevent cardiovascular disease and stroke
The amount of cholesterol in duck egg yolk is quite high.
However, it turns out that several studies have found the fact that duck eggs actually provide health benefits for your heart and blood vessels.
This is because duck eggs contain high oleic acid.
According to a study from Olives and Olive Oil in Health and Disease Prevention, oleic acid is believed to reduce bad cholesterol and blood pressure.
However, it’s important to remember that you still have to limit your consumption of duck eggs considering the cholesterol they contain is quite high.
4. Improve the body’s immune system
The next benefit or efficacy of duck eggs is to maintain the immune system.
In duck eggs, there are various types of carotenoids such as beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
Reporting from Cogent Food and Agriculture, carotenoids are believed to play a role in maintaining body functions and preventing disease.
Plus, vitamin A in duck eggs also helps strengthen the body’s immune system in preventing infection.
5. The benefits of duck eggs for skin health
If you want to have healthier and more well-groomed skin, you can try eating duck eggs.
This is because the content of lutein and zeaxanthin in duck eggs is also believed to protect the skin from damage caused by exposure to UV rays.
According to an article from Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology, lutein and zeaxanthin also help even out skin tone after being applied for 12 weeks.
6. Prevent anemia
Eating duck eggs also gives you benefits in maintaining red blood cells.
This is thanks to the content of vitamin B12 in duck eggs.
According to the National Institutes of Health website, vitamin B12 can help reduce your risk of developing megaloblastic anemia.
So, these are the various health benefits that you can get by eating duck eggs.
It’s important to remember that make sure you cook duck eggs thoroughly to avoid the risk of developing a bacterial infection.