THE YOLK'S ON US

All those egg-white omelets, and for what? A new University of Washington study of 141 people who ate two eggs a day for three months shows that the effect on their cholesterol level was negligible. The report has prompted many scientists to reconsider the common assumption that eggs contribute to high cholesterol levels and, indirectly, to heart disease. "Ultimately, the most important thing is is to maintain a low-fat diet," says TIME's Janice Horowitz. "That means staying away from the butter and the bacon." So, by all means, have that eggs benedict--- just skip the hollandaise. The study, like most egg research, was financed by the Egg Nutrition Board. But the researchers stress it was designed and conducted independently of the industry group.