New nutritional analysis reveals an average serve of eggs contain 82 percent of Australians’ recommended dietary intake of vitamin D
• Vitamin D deficiency is common in Australia, with 23 percent of adults thought to be affected.
• 2018 nutritional analysis of Australian eggs confirms an average serve of eggs (2x60g eggs) provides 82% of the recommended dietary intake (RDI) of vitamin D.1
• Eggs are one of the highest natural dietary sources of vitamin D.
02 MAY 2019 – A new nutritional analysis of a representative sample of eggs from across Australia reveals an average serve (2 x 60g eggs) provides 82 percent of the recommended dietary intake (RDI) of vitamin D.
New advancements in the analytical techniques used to detect different forms of vitamin D in foods has found that eggs are one of the highest natural sources of vitamin D.1,4 This result demonstrates that eggs contain significantly more vitamin D than previously thought.
Vitamin D deficiency is common in Australia, with around 1 in 4 adults having a mild or moderate deficiency.
“With 23% of Australian adults living with some type of vitamin D deficiency, the results from this new nutritional analysis of eggs is welcome news,” said leading nutritionist and dietitian, Sharon Natoli from Food & Nutrition Australia, who led both the 2007 and 2018 reviews into Australian eggs.
“With the capabilities to now test different forms of vitamin D in food, it is tremendous to discover that an average serve of eggs provides nearly an entire day’s worth of vitamin D,” Ms Natoli said.
For most Australians, the main source of vitamin D is from exposure to sunlight.3 However, many Australians do not have adequate vitamin D levels, particularly during winter and spring.3 Chronic low vitamin D levels can lead to conditions that result in bone and joint pain, increase the risk of falls and bone fracture in older people and may result in rickets.3 Low vitamin D levels have also been associated with muscle weakness, impaired balance and loss of muscle mass, strength and physical function.
“In Australia, it’s actually very hard to get more than about 5 or 10 per cent of the recommended dietary intake of vitamin D from dietary sources. “
“Along with the recommendations to avoid too much sunlight exposure, these factors together contribute to the high incidence of vitamin D deficiency in this country. Knowing an average serving of eggs provides 82% of the RDI for vitamin D could be a massive game changer for those living with a vitamin D deficiency,” said Australian General Practitioner Dr Ginni Mansberg.
“Eggs are a nutrient rich food that can be included daily as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Eating eggs regularly as a way to boost intakes of vitamin D is an easy, cost-effective, convenient and versatile option for many Australians,” said Dr Mansberg.
