Fossils Provide Clarity
The question of whether the chicken or the egg came first has puzzled humans for centuries. However, scientists may have finally solved this mystery, concluding that the chicken came first.
A team of Chinese and British scientists reached this conclusion after studying the evolutionary history of chickens. Their research revealed that the ancestors of chickens gave birth to live offspring instead of laying eggs. This finding also applies to the ancestors of modern reptiles. The study, published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution, examined 51 fossilised and 29 living species that were either egg-laying or live-bearing.
Fossils Provide Evidence
According to Armin Elsler, the study’s lead author, fossils show that many ancient species were live-bearing, including Mesozoic marine reptiles such as ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs.
Michael Benton, from the Bristol School of Earth Sciences, supported this conclusion, stating that recent studies, including this one, have “thrown the traditional model of ‘reptile eggs’ into the bin.”
Are Eggs Healthy or Not?
Eggs have long carried a controversial reputation due to their high cholesterol content. Cholesterol, a type of blood fat, can lead to arterial blockages, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
However, nutritionists now agree that eggs can be a part of a balanced diet and shouldn’t be universally avoided. Even the German Nutrition Society has relaxed its guidelines on egg consumption.
For healthy individuals without heart disease, high cholesterol, or diabetes, consuming three to four eggs per week is considered safe. A Swedish study even suggested that eating up to six eggs per week doesn’t increase the risk of heart attacks or strokes. However, consuming more than this over a prolonged period could lead to negative consequences, as shown by data analysis.