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Eat more eggs to heal your heart

For years we were told that eating too many eggs was bad for our hearts because they raised levels of HDL (or “bad”) cholesterol. The thinking behind those claims has been largely discredited, and a new study has found that the opposite is true – eating eggs can improve the health of your heart. This research found that proteins in eggs were converted by enzymes in the stomach and small intestine into peptides that act the same way as ACE inhibitors, which are used in medicine to lower high blood pressure, according to the journal Food Chemistry. Try the Turkish-inspired breakfast below to increase your intake of heart-healing eggs.

EAT THIS TURKISH EGGS

Bored with scrambled eggs? This spicy Turkish dish will add some variety to your morning meals. As well as the protein provided by the eggs, you get a hefty dose of muscle fuel from the yogurt, while the other ingredients provide both delicious flavours and more health benefits. Garlic has anti-inflammatory properties, for example, while extra virgin olive oil provides vitamins E and K.

INGREDIENTS

2 eggs / 1½ cloves garlic, crushed / 100g Greek yogurt / 20ml extra virgin olive oil / 10g unsalted butter / ½tsp dried chilli flakes / 1 stalk of fresh flatleaf parsley, chopped / 25ml white wine vinegar

TO MAKE

l Mix the garlic with the yogurt and half the olive oil. Whisk for ten seconds and put to one side. l Melt the butter in a small pan until it’s a nutty brown colour. Remove from the heat, add the chilli and stir, allowing it to sizzle.

l Add the remaining oil and the parsley, then set aside. l Add the vinegar to a deep pan of simmering water and poach the eggs.

l Serve the eggs in a bowl on top of the yogurt mixture, pouring the olive oil/ butter mixture over the top.