Egg intake and cognitive function in healthy adults: A systematic review of the literature
Abstract
Background: Cognitive decline is a growing public health concern, particularly in aging populations. Eggs are a widely consumed, nutrient-dense food containing choline, phospholipids, tryptophan, and omega-3 fatty acids, which individually support cognitive processes such as memory, attention, and neurogenesis. While these individual nutrients have demonstrated benefits in supplementation studies, the cognitive effects of whole egg consumption are not well established. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the association between whole egg consumption and cognitive function in healthy adults.
Methods: A systematic search of five electronic databases (Medline, Embase, CINAHL Plus, SCOPUS, and PsychInfo) was conducted from database inception through February 2025. Studies were included if they investigated whole egg intake in relation to cognitive outcomes in healthy adults. Risk of bias was assessed using tools appropriate to study design. Due to heterogeneity in study methods, outcomes were synthesised narratively. Cognitive outcomes were categorised into domains including global cognitive function, memory, executive function, language, processing speed, and dementia risk.
Results: Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria: one pre-post intervention study, six prospective cohort studies, three cross-sectional studies, and one case-control study. Study populations were predominantly older adults and included >38,000 participants. Two studies reported a reduced risk of…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 38,000 participants or records.
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