Page 43 - FoodFocusThailand No.154 January 2019

STRATEGIC R & D

“ไข่เป็นหนึ่งในแหล่งอาหารโปรตีนชนิดแรกที่ดีที่สุดหากจะให้กับเด็กทารก
เมื่ออายุ 6 เดือน นอกเหนือจากอุดมไปด้วยสารอาหารต่างๆ แล้ว ไข่ยังย่อยง่าย
และน�าไปเตรียมประกอบอาหารได้ง่ายอีกด้วย จากการศึกษาพบว่าไข่ช่วยให้
เด็กทารกไม่เกิดภาวะภูมิแพ้อาหารบางชนิด ซึ่งเชื่อว่าน่าจะเป็นผลมาจากระบบ
ภูมิคุ้มกันเริ่มปรับตัวคุ้นเคยกับโปรตีนที่หลากหลายมากขึ้น”

A new literature review has highlighted the role eggs
can play in improving infants’ protein, vitamin and
mineral intake during childhood.

The report, by nutrition student Amy Smith, looked at international
intervention studies, and found eggs to support child development
despite having relatively few calories.
One study in the review, conducted in Ecuador, found infants were
47% less likely to be stunted and 74% less likely to be underweight
when they added one egg a day to their usual diet.

High Quality of Protein in Eggs
Despite an egg containing fewer than 70 calories, the quality of the
protein is high, she said. This means that an egg provides all the
essential amino acids and protein building blocks needed for the
human body to grow and develop.
Ms.Smith explained: “Eggs have been shown time and again to
add nutritional value to our diets, both in developing countries and
here in the UK. Childhood is a time when the diet needs to be as
nutrient-dense as possible without delivering excess calories, fat and
sugar which, especially in developed countries, can increase the risk
of obesity.
“Foods like eggs, which are high in protein, B vitamins, vitamin D
and minerals, are therefore an excellent choice. They also have the
benefit of storing well and are simple to cook.”
The report also highlighted specific nutrients in eggs that support
optimal health and development during childhood, such as:
1. B vitamins for energy release
2. Vitamin D for bone health and immune function
3. Choline which is essential for normal cognitive development
and function
4. Iodine for brain development

Eggs One of the Best First Proteins
According to dietitian Dr.Carrie Ruxton, parents are often unsure when
to introduce eggs into children’s diets. She said: “Weaning can be a
confusing time given the wide range of advice provided by family and
health professionals so eggs are often forgotten.
“Yet they are one of the best first protein foods once your baby
has reached 6 months. Apart from the rich nutrient content, eggs are
easy to digest and quick to prepare. Studies show that early
introduction of eggs helps infants to avoid certain food allergies –
probably because the immune system gets used to the different
proteins.”

เอกสารอ้างอิง/Reference
Davies J. 2018. Gut health problems a constant feature of modern poultry.
[Internet]. [Cited 2018 Jul 23]. Available from: https://www.poultryworld.net

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