Here’s some egg-cellent news.
Experts are split on the health benefits of eggs, from saying they’re bad for heart health to calling them nutritional powerhouses that can help you lose weight.
However, one study reveals that an unexpected part is packed with nutrients that can enhance the appearance of hair and skin.
Move over biotin, there’s a new hair and skin supplement in town.
A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology looked at the effects of eggshell membranes — the clear film that lines the shell — on hair and skin health in people between ages 35 and 65.
Participants consumed 450 mg of hydrolyzed eggshell membrane product for three months.
The researchers observed significant improvements in facial skin appearance, noting a reduction in crow’s feet within four weeks and an improvement in skin tone and texture after eight weeks.
The participants also had noticeably thicker hair with less breakage and better growth.
These benefits are most likely due to the skin-boosting ingredients in the membranes. Namely, key ingredients like hyaluronic acid, keratin and amino acids.
Naturally produced by our bodies, hyaluronic acid helps keep skin hydrated and improves elasticity, making it a boon for smooth, plump and dewy skin.
Keratin, another naturally-produced protein, is a key nutrient that makes up our skin, hair and nails, and is found in foods like broccoli, carrots, salmon and, of course, eggs.
Meanwhile, amino acids are the building blocks of protein and are often used in peptide stacking for everything from better skin to weight loss.
As we age, though, our body produces less and less of these superstar ingredients for great looking skin, resulting in more fine lines, wrinkles and discoloration.
But the benefits of eggshell membranes don’t just stop at the surface. An older study from 2009 also saw that they could improve joint pain and stiffness, providing relief for those with arthritis or other joint disorders.
These supplements could also help address another downside to aging by improving bone health and lessening the risk of breaks and fractures.
