An essential nutrient in eggs can cut your risk of breast cancer by 24 percent, found a study set to be published in the FASEB Journal in June.

The study compared intake of the little-known nutrient choline in some 3,000 women and found that those who consumed 455 mgs of choline a day or more had a lower breast cancer risk. Most of the women in the study got their choline from eggs, coffee and skim milk (gee, sounds like what I just had for breakfast).

But a note to all you egg-white omelette eaters, this nutrient is found only in the yolk, and one egg contains about a quarter of your day’s choline needs (and rings in at about 70 calories). A previous study found that one egg a day reduced the risk of breast cancer by 18 percent.

“Choline is needed for the normal functioning of cells, no matter your age or gender,” said Dr. Steven H. Zeisel, an author of the study and a leading choline researcher, in a press release. “Increasing evidence shows that it may be particularly important for women, particularly those of child-bearing age.”

The press release also highlighted other benefits of choline, including a reduced risk of heart disease, prevention of birth defects and improved memory.

So what’s that they say… Time to get cracking!