11 Amazing Health Benefits of Eating Eggplant

According to the American Society for Horticultural Science, eggplant is one of the top 10 plants in terms of Oxygen Radical absorption capacity.

In simple words, ORAC is a metric for the antioxidant content of a source. Eggplant contains various health-beneficial nutrients, which have been reported to reduce the risk of many lifestyle-related diseases.

11 Amazing Health Benefits of Eating Eggplant:

1. Cardiovascular Benefits
2. Anti Inflammatory Properties
3. Boosts Immune System
4. Eggplant Contains Antioxidants, which fight Cancer
5. Eggplant promotes Bone Health and fights against Osteoporosis
6. Improves Digestion
7. Helps in controlling Blood Pressure
8. Eggplant can help in weight control, by reducing the secretion of a substance that alerts our brain when we are hungry
9. Promotes Skin and Hair Health
10. Helps in controlling levels of Bad Cholesterol
11. Helps with controlling Anxiety

However, eggplants, as any other food, shall be consumed in normal quantities and only as part of a balanced diet. Eating raw eggplants shall be avoided. Moreover, consuming eggplant flowers or leaves can be dangerous for human health. Members of the Solanaceae family produce a substance called solanine, which acts as the plant’s natural pesticide and is poisonous if consumed in large quantities.

According to USDA, 100g of raw eggplant contains (among others):

• 92,3g of water
• 25 calories
• 0.18g of fat
• 0.98g of protein
• 5.88g of carbohydrates
• 3.53g of sugars
• 3g of dietary fiber
• 2.2mg of vitamin C (total ascorbic acid)
• 14mg Mg
• 24mg P
• 0.23mg Fe
• 0.084mg vitamin B6
• 9mg Ca
• 229 mg K
• 2mg Na

Anthocyanins

What makes eggplant a great health booster is its high anthocyanins content. Anthocyanins are water-soluble pigments and belong to the wider category of flavonoids, which are famous free-radical fighters.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN) suggests that consuming foods with high flavonoid content, like anthocyanins, could lower mortality risk from heart diseases.

Moreover, their protective action against free radicals may have anti-cancer effects. Anthocyanins may stop the tumor formation of new blood vessels by blocking the enzymes that participate in the spreading of cancer cells. Finally, a specific anthocyanin called nasunin, found in eggplant skin, protects brain cells from free-radical-related damages.

Dietary Fiber

Eggplant is a great source of dietary fiber. Dietary fiber boosts the good functioning of the digestive system and controls cholesterol levels.

Potassium

Eggplant is a source of K, which helps lower blood pressure levels.

Vitamins of the complex B

Eggplant contains vitamins of complex B, such as B5 and B6. B6 participates in brain neurotransmitters synthesis such as serotonin, melatonin and dopamine, which are known to help regulate anxiety and fear.

Vitamin C

Eggplant is a vitamin C source, which boosts the immune system and skin health.