Eggplant is commonly purple and oval. However, there are many kinds of eggplant, and it only differs in size and color. It can be used in many dishes like in soup recipes because of its spongy texture. Another name for eggplant is “aubergines.” It is confusing whether eggplant is vegetable or fruit. Many are aware of it as a vegetable. However, it is known as fruit because they grow from a flowering plant that contains seeds. Eggplant nutrition comes with enough amounts of nutrients and vitamins. The health benefits of eggplant are due to its Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin b6, thiamine, niacin, and many more essential vitamins that your body needs.
1. Improves Heart Health
Eggplant nutrition consists of fiber, potassium, vitamin C, B6, and antioxidants. All these nutrients are vital for improved heart health. The fiber content of eggplant can reduce LDL or bad cholesterol in the body. Eggplant good for you because of the antioxidants content that can reduce the risk of heart disease. A study was tested in rabbits with high cholesterol and was given 0.3 ounces or 10 ml eggplant juice for two weeks. The result of the study shows reduced LDL or bad cholesterol and triglycerides.
2. Maintains Blood Sugar
Eggplant benefits people with high blood sugar. Adding eggplant in your diet can help you regulate blood sugar because it contains fiber that can slow down the rate of digestion and absorption of sugar in the body. Research recommends that the natural plant compound or polyphenols found in plant-based food like eggplant can treat digestion problems, diabetes, weight management difficulties, and cardiovascular diseases. The polyphenol content of eggplant can reduce blood sugar absorption and increase insulin secretion to lower blood sugar.
3. It helps to Prevent Cancer
Eggplant is good for you as it is packed and loaded with many vitamins and minerals that can reduce the risk of cancer. One of the many eggplant benefits that you can get is its natural antioxidants that can fight against free radicals in the body. The polyphenol content of eggplant is beneficial to fight against cancer cells. Eggplant is composed of Anthocyanins and chlorogenic acid, and both of them can prevent tumor growth and spread the cancer cells.
4. Weight Management
The health benefits of eggplant lie in its dietary fiber that helps to maintain a balanced diet. It is also low in calories. Eating eggplant can make you stay full because of the fiber content. Many people struggling in weight management can add eggplant in their diet because it is low in calories and high in fiber. Fried eggplant is delicious, but it is not for people who want to lose weight because of too much oil. Instead of frying, you can either boil or grill it.
5. High in Antioxidants
Many foods are high in antioxidants, and it includes eggplants. Our body depends on antioxidants to fight free radicals. Eggplant good for you is high in antioxidants that can help us prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and inflammatory diseases. Without antioxidants, the body will have a hard time fighting free radicals that cause chronic diseases. Including eggplant in the diet will provide you with the right amount of plant compounds found, especially in its skin.
6. Eye Health
Eggplant benefits eye health because of its natural antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin. Both of these antioxidants can help to protect our eyes from damage. Age-related Macular degeneration (AMD) is a common eye disease that affects the retina and the person’s central vision. The lutein content of eggplant can prevent this common eye disease.
7. Easy to Add in Diet
Eggplant is easy to add in the daily diet because it compliments all dishes. You can serve it as baked or cooked it as eggplant parmigiana, roasted or simply air fried. It is also suitable for people who want to lose weight because it is low in calorie and add in their low-calorie diet. It is delicious food and is high in many vitamins and minerals that make eggplant good for you.