The debate over eggs never really ends—first it was egg yolks versus egg whites, and now another question keeps popping up: are brown eggs healthier than white ones? Some shoppers stick to one color out of habit, while others go by brand or price. But does the shell color say anything about what’s inside?
To cut through the confusion, registered dietitians Vicki Koenig of Nutrition-Wise and Emer Delaney, founder of My Private Dietitian, break down the facts.
Why Are Some Eggs Brown and Others White?
“The color of an eggshell comes down to the breed of the chicken,” explains Koenig. Hens with white feathers typically lay white eggs, while chickens with red or brown feathers tend to lay brown ones. In other words, the shell color is simply genetics—not nutrition.
The Price Difference: Why Brown Eggs Often Cost More
If you’ve noticed brown eggs are usually pricier, there’s a reason. According to Delaney, breeds that lay brown eggs are generally larger—often weighing more than seven pounds—and require more food and energy to produce the same number of eggs. That higher cost to farmers is what shows up on the supermarket shelf.
Are Brown Eggs Healthier Than White?
“No nutritional difference at all,” says Koenig. Whether brown or white, each egg offers about 6 grams of complete protein, plus vitamins A, D, E and K, healthy fats, antioxidants, choline, and other key nutrients. These support everything from mood and muscle function to energy and inflammation control.
The American Egg Board also confirms that brown and white eggs deliver the same nutrition regardless of whether they’re cage-free, free-range, organic, or conventional. These labels describe how the hens are raised—not the nutrient content of the egg. The only way to change an egg’s nutrition is through fortified feed, such as diets enriched with omega-3s or vitamin D (and that will be reflected on the nutrition label).
A study published in Molecules compared organic and conventional eggs and found slight differences: organic eggs contained more nutrients tied to child development, while conventional eggs had higher amounts of nutrients linked to fat metabolism and cholesterol reduction. Still, both offered strong nutritional value.
The Bottom Line
An egg’s shell color simply reflects the color of the hen that laid it—nothing more. “It’s as fun and as simple as that,” says Delaney. Brown eggs might cost more to produce, but that doesn’t make them better for your health.
Whether you grab brown or white, you’re getting the same nutritional benefits. The real difference is in the breed, the cost of feed, and your personal preference—not what ends up on your plate.