Boiling eggs with hot water has been a long-standing practice in Chinese culture. Many older generations enjoy making "egg flowers" by pouring hot water over eggs for breakfast. But is this method of eating eggs good? Can eggs be cooked by stirring them in hot water? Today, let's find out if boiling eggs with hot water is nutritious.
Can eggs be fully cooked by boiling them with hot water?
The method of boiling eggs with hot water is called "egg flower". In order for the toxic proteins in eggs to denature, they need to be maintained at a temperature of 80°C or above for at least 10 minutes. If the heat transfer is poor, the heating time should be extended or the temperature should be increased. When making egg flowers, even though you use hot water, the temperature quickly decreases and cannot meet the requirement of "maintaining a temperature of 80°C or above for at least 10 minutes". Therefore, the eggs will not be fully cooked.
Are boiled eggs with hot water nutritious?
Boiling eggs with hot water does not fully cook the eggs, which prevents the body from fully absorbing the nutrients. The eggs may have a fishy smell, and raw egg whites contain some toxic proteins, also known as nutritional inhibitory proteins. These proteins, such as ovomucin that interferes with the absorption and utilization of iron, avidin that inhibits the absorption and utilization of biotin, and lysozyme that inhibits the activity of glycosidases, make it difficult for the body to digest and absorb various related nutrients. Therefore, boiled eggs with hot water do not provide much nutrition.
What is the most nutritious way to eat eggs?
The most nutritious way to eat eggs is to boil them. Research has shown that the protein digestibility of boiled eggs is as high as 99.7%, which can be almost fully absorbed by the human body. Moreover, the low heating temperature preserves the nutrients most comprehensively. The cholesterol in the egg yolk does not come into contact with oxygen, and once cholesterol is oxidized, it becomes a threat to cardiovascular health.
Method: Put eggs in cold water, heat slowly, boil for 3 minutes after boiling, then simmer for 5 minutes.
What are the disadvantages of boiling eggs with hot water?
1. Bacterial infection: Eggs are produced in the ovaries of chickens, and the carriage rate of bacteria in the oviduct is high. The surface of the eggshell and the egg yolk are likely to be contaminated by bacteria. Boiling eggs with hot water cannot completely kill these bacteria, which can cause bacterial infections.
2. Loss of appetite: Boiling eggs with hot water creates a fishy smell, which can suppress the central nervous system and reduce appetite. Sometimes it is accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
3. Indigestion: Boiling eggs with hot water usually results in undercooked eggs. This affects the digestion and absorption of proteins. The incompletely cooked proteins are difficult for the body to break down and digest, which can increase the burden on the intestines and stomach and cause indigestion.
Taboos in eating eggs
1. If fresh eggs are cracked and black substances are found, it indicates the presence of toxic substances such as hydrogen sulfide. The eggs have decayed and cannot be eaten.
2. It is not advisable to eat too many eggs at once, as excessive consumption can cause undigested proteins to putrefy and have toxic effects on the body. Egg yolks are high in cholesterol and can also cause elevated blood lipids.
3. It is not advisable to drink tea after eating eggs, as tannins in tea can hinder the absorption of proteins, iron, calcium, and other nutrients in eggs.
