Meet Real Free Range Eggs
January 22, 2008
from Mother Earth News. For the complete study, go to motherearthnews.com/eggs.
There is mounting evidence that hens raised in natural (outside) environments produce eggs that are nutritionall superior to those of their caged peers. Beware however, that cage free does NOT mean pasture? According to the USDA labeling glossary, as long as hens are “allowed access to the outside”, producers can call their eggs free-range. Oftentimes though, that only means a small opening where hens could go outside, regardless of whether or not they ever would go. Terms such as pastured and farm raised aren’t defined at all.
So, eggs from hens raised on pasture (versus confinement) may contain as much as:
1/3 less cholesterol
1/4 less saturated fat
2/3 more vitamin A
2 times more omega-3 fatty acids
3 times more vitamin E
7 times more beta carotene
Think of THAT next time you buy a dozen eggs.
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