Hello doctor: Does eating balut help nourish the body?

'I like eating balut and have heard that it is a nutritious dish. However, I have also heard many people mention the risk of increasing cholesterol if you eat a lot. Is this true?' (Hoai Nam, 25 years old, in Ho Chi Minh City).

Nutritionist Nguyen Thu Ha - Nam Sai Gon International General Hospital, explains that balut is a type of egg with an embryo that has developed to a certain stage, creating a more concentrated nutritional density than regular eggs. An average 100 gram balut provides about 182 kcal; 13.6 g protein; 12.4 g lipid and a significant amount of micronutrients such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A and beta-carotene.

This high nutrient content helps duck eggs be classified as a nutritious food, suitable for people who need to recover after illness, heavy laborers, athletes or thin people who need to supplement energy. Specifically, iron in duck eggs is easily absorbed, supporting the blood-forming process. The rich content of vitamin A and beta-carotene helps strengthen the immune system and improve eyesight. Protein and healthy fats in eggs contribute to tissue regeneration, muscle development and provide stable energy for the body.

However, this "concentration" of nutrients makes balut eggs a "difficult problem" for the digestive system if eaten in large quantities, especially for people with weak stomachs or digestive disorders... because the body has to work harder to process large amounts of protein and fat.

Balut has many nutritional values.

Photo: AI

Why shouldn't you eat too much?

The most notable point of duck eggs is the high cholesterol content, each egg can contain about 500-600 mg of cholesterol, depending on the level of embryo development and the amount of yolk. Although there is no specific limit on cholesterol intake, health organizations still recommend limiting cholesterol consumption from animal foods, eating as little as possible and maintaining below about 300 mg/day as a safe threshold for healthy adults. This comes from the fact that the body has the ability to self-regulate cholesterol production in the liver, so eating a small amount of cholesterol-rich foods does not significantly affect blood lipids in normal people.

However, eating too often foods containing high cholesterol such as balut eggs, egg yolks, animal organs or chicken skin can still increase "bad" cholesterol (LDL) in people with lipid disorders or cardiovascular risk factors.

Eating balut regularly to "nourish" when sick or gain weight quickly can be harmful. Although rich in nutrients, if eaten instead of main meals or consumed too often, the body can easily lose its balance, lack starch, green vegetables and protein from meat and fish, making it difficult to gain weight sustainably and lack of recovery micronutrients.

In addition, poorly preserved or long-stored eggs can be contaminated with Salmonella, causing poisoning and diarrhea, especially dangerous for young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.

Who should be cautious when eating balut?

The following groups of people should limit or consult a doctor before regular use: People with weak stomachs, digestive disorders, high blood fat, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, gout, purine metabolism disorders... Children under 5 years old (due to weak digestive system, prone to bloating or digestive disorders). Pregnant women (should eat moderate amounts and ensure eggs are cooked thoroughly). People on a weight loss regimen or need to control calories.

Although balut is nutritious, it should not be eaten regularly.

Photo: AI

How to eat to be healthy?

To take advantage of the benefits of balut while still being safe, users should follow these principles:

Reasonable amount : Healthy adults should only eat 1-2 fruits per week, and should not eat them for many consecutive days.

When to eat : Should eat in the morning or at noon, avoid eating at night because eggs are difficult to digest, can easily cause bloating and affect sleep.

Eat with the right way : Should eat with Vietnamese coriander and ginger to keep the stomach warm and aid digestion. Can combine more vegetables, grains or herbs when processing to provide balanced nutrition such as duck eggs stewed with squash and Malabar spinach, duck eggs stewed with mugwort and lotus seeds, etc.

Ensure food safety : Do not leave boiled eggs overnight, do not wash eggs before boiling (to avoid bacteria penetrating the shell) and keep cooking utensils clean to avoid the risk of infection.

Balanced lifestyle : Combine regular exercise, increase green vegetables and fruits in your diet to control blood fat and support the digestive system.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/alo-bac-si-nghe-an-trung-vit-lon-co-giup-boi-bo-co-the-185251203225924611.htm