Which of These Vitamins Is Not Found in a Normal Hen's Egg?

November 1, 2025 •

4 min read

A single large boiled egg provides a remarkable profile of 12 out of the 13 essential vitamins humans need, along with high-quality protein and other key minerals. However, despite this nearly perfect nutritional package, a single specific vitamin is notably absent from a normal hen's egg. The answer to which of these vitamins is not found in a normal hen's egg lies in avian biology.

Quick Summary

A normal hen's egg lacks vitamin C, a nutrient hens can produce internally, meaning it is not stored in the eggs they lay.

Key Points

Missing Vitamin: A normal hen's egg contains no vitamin C, distinguishing it from nearly all other essential nutrients found within.
Avian Synthesis: Chickens produce their own vitamin C internally and do not need to store it in their eggs, which is why it is absent.
Nutrient Concentration: The vast majority of an egg's vitamins, including A, D, E, and K, are concentrated in the nutrient-dense yolk.
Complete Meal Strategy: To balance your intake, pair eggs with vitamin C-rich fruits or vegetables, such as bell peppers or oranges.
Nutrient-Dense Food: Despite lacking vitamin C, eggs are a highly nutritious food, packed with high-quality protein, healthy fats, and a complete profile of essential amino acids.

The Missing Link: Why Eggs Lack Vitamin C

Eggs are often lauded as a 'complete food' due to their rich nutritional profile, providing nearly every essential vitamin and mineral necessary for a healthy diet. However, the one exception is vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid. The reason for this deficiency has to do with how chickens, and most other birds, produce this vitamin naturally within their bodies.

The Biological Reason: Avian Synthesis

Unlike humans, guinea pigs, and certain other animals that have lost the ability to produce vitamin C and must obtain it from dietary sources, chickens can synthesize their own. This process, called de novo synthesis from glucose, fulfills all of the hen's internal needs, so there is no need to store excess quantities in her eggs. As a result, the eggs she produces, whether fertile or not, contain virtually no trace of vitamin C.

The Nutritional Powerhouse: What Eggs Do Contain

While eggs are not a source of vitamin C, their nutritional value is impressive. They are a source of high-quality protein and offer a balanced array of fats, vitamins, and minerals that are vital for human health. The vast majority of these nutrients are concentrated in the egg yolk.

A Breakdown of Nutrients in a Hen's Egg

Here is a list of the essential nutrients commonly found in hen's eggs:

Fat-Soluble Vitamins (in the yolk):
- Vitamin A: Crucial for vision, immune function, and reproductive health.
- Vitamin D: A natural source that supports bone health and boosts immune function.
- Vitamin E: A potent antioxidant that helps protect the body's tissues.
- Vitamin K: Essential for blood clotting and bone health.
Water-Soluble Vitamins (in both yolk and white):
- B Vitamins: A whole suite of B-vitamins, including B2 (riboflavin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6, B9 (folate), and B12.
Minerals and Other Compounds:
- Choline: Critical for brain health, memory, and nervous system function.
- Selenium: An important trace mineral that functions as an antioxidant.
- Lutein and Zeaxanthin: Antioxidants found in the yolk that support eye health.

Comparing the Nutritional Profile: Egg Yolk vs. Egg White

Understanding the different nutritional components of the yolk and white can help you make informed dietary choices. While the egg white is praised for its fat-free protein, the yolk contains the majority of the beneficial nutrients.


Nutrient	Egg White (Approx. % of total)	Egg Yolk (Approx. % of total)	Significance of Distribution
Protein	~57%	~43%	The white is mostly protein and water; the yolk contains high-quality protein and essential amino acids.
Fat	0%	100%	All fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), cholesterol, and healthy fats are exclusively found in the yolk.
Vitamin A	0%	100%	Entirely contained within the yolk.
Vitamin D	0%	100%	Entirely contained within the yolk, making eggs a rare natural source of this vitamin.
B Vitamins	Small amounts	Majority	While some B vitamins are in the white, the yolk is the most significant source of B vitamins.
Choline	Trace	Majority	The yolk is one of the richest dietary sources of choline.
Iron	0%	100%	All iron is located in the yolk.
Selenium	~33%	~67%	Found in both, but concentrated in the yolk.

How to Create a Balanced Meal with Eggs

Because a hen's egg lacks vitamin C, pairing it with vitamin C-rich foods is the best way to create a nutritionally complete meal. This is especially easy to do with a classic breakfast pairing. Here are some simple suggestions:

Serve scrambled or poached eggs with a side of sliced avocado, which is an excellent source of healthy fats and vitamins. Avocado can provide some vitamin C, but pairing with a citrus fruit is more effective.
Add chopped bell peppers (red, yellow, or green) to your omelet or frittata. Bell peppers are extremely high in vitamin C.
Pair your eggs with a side of fresh fruit, such as oranges, strawberries, kiwi, or grapefruit, to provide the missing vitamin C.
Enjoy a glass of orange juice with your egg-based breakfast for a quick and easy vitamin C boost. Just be mindful of sugar content.
Serve eggs alongside a spinach and tomato salad, as these vegetables are packed with nutrients, including vitamin C.

Conclusion: The Final Word on Egg Nutrition

In summary, the vitamin not found in a normal hen's egg is vitamin C. This biological fact is not a deficit, but rather a testament to the hen's self-sufficiency. Eggs remain one of nature's most perfect and nutrient-dense foods, providing high-quality protein, healthy fats, and a host of other essential vitamins and minerals. By understanding this single nutritional gap and pairing your eggs with a vitamin C-rich food, you can easily enjoy a complete and balanced meal. The simple strategy of adding a side of fruit or vegetable to your plate ensures you're getting the best of both worlds—a powerhouse of egg nutrients complemented by the immune-boosting power of vitamin C. https://www.incredibleegg.org/professionals/foodservice/eggs-egg-products/egg-composition-nutrition/

Frequently Asked Questions

Vitamin C is the only vitamin missing from a normal hen's egg because chickens have the biological ability to produce their own supply of this nutrient. Because their bodies synthesize enough of it, there is no need to store it within their eggs.

Eggs are an excellent source of many essential vitamins, including fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as a variety of water-soluble B vitamins such as B2 (riboflavin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6, B9 (folate), and B12.

No, eating eggs cannot prevent scurvy. Scurvy is caused by a severe deficiency of vitamin C. Since eggs contain no vitamin C, they do not offer protection against this condition.

Most of an egg's nutritional value is concentrated in the yolk. While the egg white provides a high amount of protein, the yolk contains all of the fat, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), and the majority of the minerals and B vitamins.

Choline is a key nutrient, similar to B vitamins, that is critical for various bodily functions. It plays a role in brain health, memory function, and nervous system signaling. Eggs are one of the best dietary sources of choline.

Research suggests that eggs from pasture-raised hens can be more nutritious than conventionally-raised eggs. They may contain higher levels of certain vitamins, like A, E, and D, as well as higher concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.

To get vitamin C with your egg breakfast, simply pair it with vitamin C-rich foods. Excellent options include a side of fresh fruit like oranges or strawberries, sliced bell peppers in an omelet, or a glass of orange juice.