A 2019 analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) indicated a correlation between higher egg consumption and an increased risk of hypertension, according to research reviewed by Health.com.
The NHANES survey, conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is the primary source of data on the health and nutritional status of the U.S. Civilian noninstitutionalized population. The 2017–March 2020 dataset included interviews with 15,560 participants and examinations of 14,300, providing a nationally representative sample.
While eggs are recognized as a nutrient-rich food, containing protein, saturated fat, iron, zinc, choline, and various vitamins and minerals, the relationship between egg consumption and cardiovascular disease risk factors remains a subject of ongoing study. A 2018 study published in PubMed, utilizing NHANES data from 2003-2012 involving over 21,000 adults, found that egg consumption was associated with greater intakes of several nutrients but also with higher BMI and waist circumference. That study did not find a significant relationship between egg intake and LDL-cholesterol or C-reactive protein.
The CDC released data on February 25, 2026, detailing the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and severe obesity among children and adults in the United States, spanning data from 1963-1965 through August 2021-August 2023. The agency also published findings on December 16, 2025, comparing different methods for estimating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, using NHANES data from 2015-2018.
NHANES data is publicly available through the CDC website, with restricted-leverage files containing more detailed information accessible through Research Data Centers. The restricted-use files include geographically specific data and more granular racial and ethnic classifications not available in the public-use datasets.
