No, scientists didn’t warn people that eating eggs causes blood clots.

A headline warning people of the alleged adverse health effects associated with the popular breakfast food began circulating on social media in late January.

“Scientists warn that eggs are ‘suddenly’ causing blood clots in thousands of people,” reads a headline published by News Punch, which bills itself as a news and entertainment website. Some people also shared the title on Social mediawith some reports implying that clots are related to COVID-19 vaccines.

Robert asked to CHECK if the claims that eggs cause blood clots are true.

Have scientists warned people that eating eggs causes blood clots?

No, scientists did not warn people that eating eggs causes blood clots.

The article claims that eggs cause “sudden” blood clots in thousands of people,” referring to the results of the Cleveland Clinic study.

But the study authors told VERIFY that the article “does not accurately reflect the results” of their study.

A study by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic on choline supplementation was published in the American Heart Association’s Circulation Journal in 2017. It emphasized choline supplementation rather than nutrient intake through foods such as eggs.

Choline is a nutrient that helps support brain and liver function. It is found in certain foods such as meat, fish, poultry, dairy, and eggs, and is also available as a supplement if you are not getting enough nutrients in your diet.

The study found that choline supplements in capsule form increased levels of trimethylamine n-oxide (TMAO), a metabolite produced by gut bacteria, among study participants.

According to the authors of the study, this increased the sensitivity of platelets, which is a risk factor for bleeding disorders such as heart attack and stroke.

But “the study did not show a direct link between egg consumption and “sudden blood clots,” as the title claims, the authors say.

Christopher Gardner, professor of medicine at Stanford University and chairman of the American Heart Association’s nutrition committee, agrees. He said that claims linking eggs to blood clots were “not fully supported.”

“Extrapolating the results of a study that focused on a single nutrient and trying to make a statement about eating habits or foods to include or avoid is really a data stretch and we need to stop doing it,” Gardner said.

More from CHECK: No, the government-funded food pyramid doesn’t consider Lucky Charms healthier than steak.

More recent research by experts at the Cleveland Clinic also does not support the claim that eating eggs can increase risk factors for blood clots.

A 2021 study published in the American Journal of Medicine found that consumption of eggs alone “did not show an increase in TMAO or an increase in platelet response in healthy volunteers,” the authors say.

According to the American Heart Association, eggs can be part of an overall healthy diet. The association suggests a serving size of one egg or two egg whites per day for people who prefer to eat eggs.

In the past, News Punch has spread misinformation online. A research guide on the West Carolina University website describes News Punch as a website that “combines verifiable facts with conspiracy theories, urban legends and other gossip.”

VERIFY has reached out to News Punch for comment, but has not received a response as of press time.