Does Shell Color or Tint Affect the Nutritional Value of Eggs?

January 11, 2026 •

2 min read

Despite popular perception, an egg's shell color has no effect on its nutritional value. Many consumers believe brown eggs are healthier or more "natural" than white ones, but this is a misconception rooted in marketing and tradition, not science. The real determinants of an egg's nutritional content are the hen's diet and living conditions, not the hue of its shell.

Quick Summary

The color of an eggshell, whether white, brown, or tinted, is determined by the hen's breed and does not impact the nutritional content. The diet, health, and environment of the hen are the primary factors that influence the egg's nutrient profile and flavor. All eggs offer a similar package of protein, vitamins, and minerals, regardless of their shell's shade.

Key Points

Shell color is genetic: A hen's breed, not its nutritional content, determines if it lays white, brown, or tinted eggs.
Nutrition comes from the diet: The hen's feed and environment, such as a pasture-raised diet, are the real factors that influence the egg's nutrient profile.
Yolk color is also diet-dependent: A darker yolk indicates a hen's diet was rich in carotenoids, but this is not a reliable measure of overall nutrition.
Brown and white eggs are nutritionally similar: Assuming hens are raised under similar conditions, eggs of different shell colors have the same protein, vitamin, and mineral content.
Focus on farming practices: For potentially higher nutrient levels, choose eggs from hens with varied diets and access to sunlight, rather than focusing on shell hue.

The Genetic Basis for Eggshell Color

The color of an egg's shell is determined by the hen's genetics. All eggshells start white, made of calcium carbonate. Pigments are added in the oviduct just before laying.

White Eggs: Laid by breeds like White Leghorns, which don't deposit pigment.
Brown Eggs: Laid by breeds like Rhode Island Reds, which deposit protoporphyrin pigment.
Blue/Green Eggs: Laid by breeds like Araucanas, depositing biliverdin throughout the shell.

The Real Factors Affecting an Egg's Nutrition

The hen's diet and environment, not shell color, dictate an egg's nutritional value.

Diet: A varied diet impacts nutrients. Flaxseed-rich diets yield higher omega-3 eggs; diets with alfalfa or marigolds result in darker yolks due to carotenoids.
Environment: Pastured hens with sun exposure produce eggs higher in vitamin D.
Hen's Health/Age: Affects egg quality; older hens may lay less pigmented or irregular eggs.

Comparison: Brown Eggs vs. White Eggs


Feature	Brown Eggs	White Eggs
Nutritional Value	Identical (assuming the same diet/conditions)	Identical (assuming the same diet/conditions)
Shell Color	Brown, from genetics and protoporphyrin pigment	White, lack of pigment gene
Cost	Often more expensive due to larger breeds needing more feed	Generally less expensive; hens are smaller and need less feed
Hen Breed	Rhode Island Red, Plymouth Rock, Marans	White Leghorn
Inside Shell	White (pigment is external)	White

The Myth of Darker Yolks

A darker yolk suggests a diet rich in carotenoids but doesn't guarantee overall higher nutrition. Protein, fat, and other vitamins are similar regardless of yolk shade.

How to Choose the Most Nutritious Eggs

Prioritize carton labels like "pasture-raised" or "organic" over shell color. Pasture-raised eggs may have more omega-3s and vitamin D. Some eggs are fortified. The American Egg Board's Egg Nutrition Center is a good resource.

Conclusion

Eggshell color is a genetic trait with no impact on nutritional content. The idea that brown eggs are healthier is a myth. An egg's nutritional value depends on the hen's diet, environment, and health. When choosing eggs, focus on farming practices indicated by labels rather than shell color to understand the egg's quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, there is no nutritional difference between brown and white eggs. The color of the shell is determined solely by the hen's genetics, not by its nutritional content or the quality of the egg.

Brown eggs can be more expensive because the larger hen breeds that lay them typically require more feed, increasing production costs. This higher cost is often passed on to consumers and has no relation to nutritional superiority.

Eggshell color is caused by pigments that are deposited on the shell during the final stages of formation in the hen's oviduct. Breeds with different genetic traits produce different pigments, resulting in various shell colors.

Not necessarily. A darker yolk color is a result of a hen's diet being rich in carotenoids, such as those found in corn or alfalfa. While carotenoids are beneficial, the overall nutritional value, including protein and fat content, is not significantly different based on yolk color alone.

The hen's diet and environment are the main factors. Eggs from pasture-raised hens with access to a varied diet and sunlight may have higher levels of omega-3s and vitamin D compared to conventionally raised eggs.

No, the farming method does not determine the shell color. A hen's genetics are the only factor. A free-range White Leghorn will still lay a white egg, and a free-range Rhode Island Red will still lay a brown one.

To choose the healthiest eggs, look beyond shell and yolk color. Pay attention to labels like 'pasture-raised' or 'omega-3 enriched,' and consider eggs from local farmers who prioritize a high-quality, varied diet and good living conditions for their hens.