There has been much furor in the past few decades about whether eggs – beyond dietary supplements, one of the few sources of omega-3 fatty acids – are good for you. Some researchers have chided egg-eaters for their cholesterol intake, while others have praised them for their attention to good nutrition. Now, an Israeli scientist has weighed in on what does (or doesn’t) make eggs healthy.

Niva Shapira, a researcher from Tel Aviv University, recently published a study supporting the idea that hens fed a natural, healthy diet tend to lay eggs that are lower in omega-6s, which are fatty acids associated with high cholesterol.

Her report specified that a nutritious diet for chickens should contain plenty of grains, like wheat and barley, and lower amounts of sunflower seeds, corn and soy than are currently fed to many hens.

Shapira showed that eggs laid by healthier chickens tended to contain more omega-3s and less omega-6s, making them slightly better for one’s cholesterol levels and overall cardiovascular health.

Of course, vitamin supplements can deliver even more omega-3s without entailing any cholesterol or fats consumption.