If you’ve been diagnosed with fatty liver disease or just want to protect your liver health, you may be wondering if eggs belong on your plate. After all, eggs are high in cholesterol, and dietary fat often gets blamed for liver issues. So, are eggs actually bad for your liver?

Let’s dig into what the research says, what matters, and what your liver really needs from your diet.

What your liver does—and why diet plays a role

Your liver filters toxins, breaks down fats, stores energy, and helps manage blood sugar and hormones. When it’s stressed or damaged—especially from a buildup of fat—you may develop a condition known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now more broadly referred to as metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

Globally, MASLD affects about 25% of the population (World Health Organization, 2024). Risk factors include obesity, insulin resistance, poor diet, and lack of physical activity. That’s why nutrition matters—and why foods like eggs come under scrutiny.

Fatty Liver Disease: The Bigger Picture

The most common liver condition tied to diet is nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)—now more accurately called metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). It occurs when excess fat builds up in the liver without alcohol being the cause.

According to the World Health Organization (2024), MASLD affects approximately 25% of people globally, and risk is especially high among those with obesity, insulin resistance, or type 2 diabetes.

The liver is resilient, but it can only process so much fat before it starts accumulating. Diet and lifestyle are the most powerful modifiers of this condition—and that’s where eggs enter the conversation.

Explore the life expectancy with fatty liver disease to understand its long-term impact.

Why eggs get a bad rap

Historically, eggs were vilified due to their cholesterol content. But dietary cholesterol’s impact on blood cholesterol has turned out to be weaker than once thought.

A comprehensive 2016 review in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that the body adjusts by producing less cholesterol when dietary intake increases. Most of the cholesterol in your blood is produced by your liver, not absorbed from food.

Also, most of the cholesterol in your bloodstream comes from endogenous production—not food.

Check out how much choline is needed to reverse fatty liver.

What Science Says About Eggs and Liver Health

1. No Increased Risk of Fatty Liver

According to a 2024 cohort study from the Framingham Heart Study, participants who ate two or more eggs per week showed no increase in liver fat or NAFLD risk after six years. In fact, participants with higher choline intake had a 31% reduced risk of fatty liver compared to those with the lowest intake (Yiannakou et al., 2024).

This suggests that egg consumption isn’t just neutral—it may be protective in the right context.

2. Choline: A Liver-Protective Nutrient

Eggs are the richest dietary source of choline, a nutrient critical for liver function. According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (2024), choline helps export fat from the liver and supports cell membrane integrity. Choline deficiency is a known risk factor for liver steatosis.

Women, especially during pregnancy, need higher choline intake to prevent liver stress and support fetal development.

Discover the best supplements for fatty liver to support your diet.

Small Studies Show Mixed Results—Here’s Why

Some smaller studies, like a 2017 case-control analysis by Mokhtari et al., have suggested an association between frequent egg consumption and increased risk of NAFLD. However, this type of study design doesn’t prove causation. Other variables—like processed food intake, cooking methods, or baseline obesity—may have influenced the results.

In fact, according to the Global Liver Institute (2023), dietary patterns as a whole—especially sugar, refined carbs, and excess saturated fat—are far more predictive of liver disease than any single food item.

Not All Eggs Are Equal: Processing Matters

Cultural differences in egg preparation may explain some of the confusion. According to a 2022 Journal of Nutrition study, preserved or pickled eggs (common in some Asian diets) showed a modest link to NAFLD—likely due to added sodium and chemicals used in curing. These are not the same as boiled, poached, or scrambled eggs.

When studies control for preparation style and overall diet quality, fresh eggs have no harmful effect on liver enzymes or function.

What’s in an egg? More than cholesterol

One large egg contains:

• ~6 grams of high-quality protein

• ~147 mg of choline

• Vitamin D (15% DV)

• Selenium (28% DV)

• B12 (21% DV)

• Lutein and zeaxanthin (antioxidants)

Each of these nutrients plays a role in reducing oxidative stress, improving fat metabolism, or supporting detoxification—all key liver functions.

Learn what vitamins support liver health.

Are All Eggs the Same?

Not exactly. A 2022 study in the Journal of Nutrition linked preserved (salted or pickled) eggs with a slightly increased risk of fatty liver. These products are chemically cured and often high in sodium.

But this does not apply to fresh eggs, which are more commonly eaten boiled, scrambled, or poached.

Are eggs worse than other animal products?

Not necessarily. While red meat and processed meats are associated with increased liver disease risk due to saturated fat and heme iron content, eggs contain a different fat profile and far less heme iron.

Eggs and Your Cholesterol

Your liver makes most of the cholesterol in your body. When you eat more cholesterol from foods like eggs, your liver usually makes less to compensate.

For most healthy people, eating an egg a day does not raise blood cholesterol significantly. The bigger concern is overall diet quality, not just egg intake.

Concerned about liver markers? Can high liver enzymes be dangerous?

Can Eggs Affect Liver Enzymes?

Routine liver panels check ALT, AST, and ALP enzymes. According to a 2023 review in Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, egg consumption in moderate amounts does not significantly affect liver enzyme levels, especially when part of a high-fiber, low-sugar diet.

Elevated enzymes are more likely caused by alcohol, obesity, medications, or metabolic disorders—not dietary cholesterol alone.

So—Are Eggs Bad for Your Liver?

No, not for most people.

In fact, eggs may support liver health due to their choline and antioxidant content. A well-balanced diet that includes eggs, leafy greens, whole grains, and healthy fats is much more important than cutting out eggs entirely.

When to Be More Careful with Eggs

Consider limiting egg yolks if you:

• Have familial hypercholesterolemia or genetic high cholesterol
  
  

• Eat lots of other high-saturated fat or high-cholesterol foods
  
  

• Have advanced liver disease and complications like cirrhosis
  
  

• Are not seeing improvements in cholesterol or liver enzymes with diet
  
  

Talk to a healthcare provider or dietitian if you're unsure.

How Many Eggs Are Safe?

According to the American Heart Association (2024) and Harvard School of Public Health (2025), one to two egg per day is safe for healthy adults. For people with liver disease, aim for 3–5 whole eggs per week, or more if using egg whites.

Always discuss with your healthcare provider if you have elevated cholesterol or liver markers.

Plant-Based Swaps (If You Prefer to Limit Eggs)

Egg-free liver-supportive options include:

• Chia pudding with flax, berries, and cinnamon
  

• Lentil hash with sweet potatoes and kale
  

• Smoothies with spinach, banana, and almond milk
  

• Tofu scrambles seasoned with turmeric
  

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2025), plant-based diets rich in fiber and antioxidants consistently show benefits for liver health.

Final Verdict: Are Eggs Bad for Your Liver?

According to leading liver researchers and nutrition scientists, the answer is: No. Eggs are not bad for your liver—and in fact, may be beneficial when eaten as part of a balanced, whole-food diet.

They offer choline, antioxidants, and protein that support liver health and metabolism. What matters more is your total dietary pattern—not whether you eat eggs.

Eggs aren’t the enemy. But confusion around liver health can make meal planning overwhelming.

With Ribbon Checkup’s at-home liver health tests, you can track key markers from the comfort of home, giving you clarity between doctor visits.

Your liver works hard. Know how it’s doing. Support it with smart choices.

FAQs

Are eggs bad for people with fatty liver?

According to recent studies, no. Eggs may help reduce liver fat when part of a healthy diet.

Can I eat eggs every day with high cholesterol?

Yes—for many people. But talk to your doctor if you have high LDL or triglycerides.

What’s the healthiest way to cook eggs for liver health?

Boiling, poaching, or scrambling in olive oil with vegetables is ideal.

Are egg whites better for liver health?

Egg whites are lower in cholesterol and a good protein source—especially if managing blood lipids.

Related Resources

• How Much Choline is Needed to Reverse Fatty Liver — Roles and Requirements
  Understand the role of choline—abundant in eggs—in supporting fat metabolism and liver repair, especially in those with fatty liver disease.
  

• Best Supplements for Fatty Liver
  Discover science-backed supplements that may work alongside your diet (including or excluding eggs) to reduce liver fat and inflammation.
  

• Fatty Liver Diet Plan PDF: A Doctor-Recommended 7-Day Meal Guide to Reverse Fatty Liver Naturally
  Download a practical, doctor-approved meal plan that shows how eggs—and other foods—can fit into a liver-friendly diet.

Written by Abel Tamirat, MD
Dr. Abel Tamirat is a licensed General Practitioner and ECFMG-certified international medical graduate with over three years of experience supporting U.S.-based telehealth and primary care practices. As a freelance medical writer and Virtual Clinical Support Specialist, he blends frontline clinical expertise with a passion for health technology and evidence-based content. He is also a contributor to Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs.

References

Are eggs good or bad for your health? | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (2021, February 19). Retrieved June 10, 2025, from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health website: https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/are-eggs-good-or-bad-for-your-health 

Carter, S., Hill, A. M., Yandell, C., Wood, L., Coates, A. M., & Buckley, J. D. (2025). Impact of dietary cholesterol from eggs and saturated fat on LDL cholesterol levels: a randomized cross-over study. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.05.001 

How many eggs can I safely eat? - Harvard Health. (2019, November). Retrieved June 10, 2025, from Harvard Health website: https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/how-many-eggs-can-i-safely-eat 

Mokhtari, Z., Poustchi, H., Eslamparast, T., & Hekmatdoost, A. (2017). Egg consumption and risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. World Journal of Hepatology, 9(10), 503. https://doi.org/10.4254/wjh.v9.i10.503 

Sherrell, Z. (2021, February 25). Do eggs raise cholesterol levels? Retrieved June 10, 2025, from Medicalnewstoday.com website: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/are-eggs-bad-for-cholesterol 

Tanne, J. H. (1999). An egg a day is not harmful. BMJ : British Medical Journal, 318(7191), 1094. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1115499/ 

Yiannakou, I., Long, M. T., Jacques, P. F., Beiser, A., Pickering, R. T., & Moore, L. L. (2025). Eggs, Dietary Choline, and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in the Framingham Heart Study. The Journal of Nutrition, 155(3), 923–935. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.10.026 

Zhang, S., Meng, G., Zhang, Q., Liu, L., Yao, Z., Wu, H., … Niu, K. (2021). Consumption of Preserved Egg Is Associated with Modestly Increased Risk of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Chinese Adults. The Journal of Nutrition, 151(9), 2741–2748. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxab163