Yolk colour and nutrition: What it really tells us about eggs

The colour of the yolk can reveal a little about an egg's nutritional content. Experts have concluded this, although they also admit that a more intense yolk colour, typically associated with a healthier and tastier egg, does not always indicate better quality.

Research published in the "Journal of Food Science" indicates that the darker yolk colour may be due to the presence of larger amounts of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins compared to those with a lighter colour. Where did this difference come from? And does the intense yolk colour mean that the egg is healthier?

Vanessa Rissetto, an expert from Culina Health, points out in an interview with the website eatthis.com that intensely coloured yolks come from healthy hens that receive quality feed and are subject to good farming practices.

Indeed, many studies indicate that the yolk colour of eggs is primarily influenced by the carotenoids present in the hens' diet. Carotenoids are natural antioxidants and can positively impact the human body: lutein and zeaxanthin are beneficial for eye health, and beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A, which is responsible for skin conditions and supports the immune system. Nevertheless, it is worth highlighting that the yolk colour does not matter in the context of the amount of the most important components present in the egg, i.e., protein and fat.

In contrast, a light yolk colour may mean that the hens were likely fed a vegetarian diet consisting of maize and wheat. It is also assumed that light yolks come from caged hens. As pointed out by the specialised portal infowet.pl, this is somewhat true because hens raised in a caged system usually eat only a specific type of feed.

"Nevertheless – caged hens can also eat healthily. Moreover, the addition of supplements can cause their egg yolks to also have the desired golden colour," reads further on the infowet.pl portal.

In summary, intensely coloured yolks contain more carotenoids, but the amount of protein and fat remains unchanged. The yolk colour tells us a lot about what the hen was fed, but it does not necessarily indicate the farming system. Therefore, it cannot be asserted that more intensely coloured yolks are healthier.

infowet.pl/drob/197/od_czego_zalezy_kolor_zoltek_w_kurzych_jajkach_i_jak_wplywa_na_ludzkie_zdrowie,636.html

https://www.eatthis.com/color-egg-yolks/