Texas Tech researcher studies role of eggs in weight loss

Can eggs play a role in losing weight? That’s the question Nik Dhurandhar, chairman of the Texas Tech Department of Nutritional Sciences, will be seeking to answer with grant money from the American Egg Board to study whether eating eggs for breakfast while on a diet can contribute to greater weight loss.

Previous studies suggest eggs can help reduce weight. That could be because of the higher quality of protein found in eggs.

In a statement from Texas Tech, Dhurandhar said Tech was the first to observe that eggs have a greater satiety value — meaning they may make people feel more full after eating them than other foods. This could increase compliance to a weight loss regimen, he said.

The study will include 20 healthy, plus-sized women between the ages of 18 and 44. It will compare the effects of eating an egg breakfast of higher protein quality to the effects of eating a breakfast with similar calories and nutrients, but a lower quality of protein. The participants will be following a reduced energy diet.

The study begins in August.

Dhurandhar, who is president of The Obesity Society, came to Texas Tech in November, according to the release. As a physician and nutritional biochemist, he has been involved with obesity treatment and research for more than 20 years and has treated more than 10,000 patients for obesity using lifestyle therapy as well as pharmacological approaches.

The American Egg Board aims to connect America’s egg farmers with consumers, promotes the benefits of eggs and receives funding from a national legislative checkoff on all egg production from companies with more than 75,000 hens in the continental United States, according to the organization’s website.