Eggplant is a meaty berry fruit native to India. It contains many health benefits that can help protect the body from many health conditions naturally. Many vegetarians use eggplants in their meals to make them heartier and filling.
What is Eggplant?
Eggplant has a deep dark purplish skin that can sometimes be orange, reddish and white in color. Each eggplant can weigh up to 2 pounds depending on how long they are left to grow and have an oval egg like shape to them. The flesh of this fruit is like a light whitish yellow tinted color with large seeds in the center of it. Eggplant does belong to the nightshade plants and grows of perennial vines. This fruit is typically harvested between August and October.
Nutrients in Eggplant
- B complex
- Potassium
- Copper
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Fiber
- Phytonutrients
- Antioxidants
- Anti-Cancer Properties
- Anti-Viral Properties
- Phenolic Acids
- Proteins
- Vitamin C
- Calcium
- Iron
- Healthy Fats
- Phosphorus
- Zinc
- Nicotine
Eating Eggplant for the Heart
Eating eggplant a few times a week with a meal can help relax blood vessels in the heart, improve circulation and help keep cholesterol at healthy levels, which is why it is good for the heart. The phytonutrients in eggplant also help prevent heart disease, heart attacks and stroke.
Keeping the Mind Healthy
Eggplants high amount of phytonutrients has the ability to protect brain cell membranes from free radical cells from damaging them. The high amount of B complex vitamins in eggplant also has the ability to keep us thinking clearly and prevent stress. The antioxidants in eggplant even have the ability to prevent brain tumors and cancer from forming by attacking the free radicals that cause tumors cancers.
Eggplant for Healthy Digestion
Eggplant is excellent to eat to help keep the digestive tract healthy due to the high amount of fiber in it that helps push waste, toxins, chemicals and pollutants out of the body so it does not build up and causes illnesses. Eating eggplant regularly can help prevent and treat constipation as well. Eggplant can also help prevent colon and stomach cancer naturally due to the high amount of potent antioxidants in it. People who are trying to loose weight will benefit from eating eggplant because the fiber in eggplant will keep you fuller longer, which means you will eat less.
Normalizing Iron Levels in the Body
The best way to keep iron levels in our body normal is by adding eggplant to our diets. Eggplant contains a phytonutrients in it called nasunin, which has the ability to remove excesses iron build up in our bodies naturally. However, those who have low iron levels might want to skip eating the eggplant.
Keeping Hair, Skin and Nails Healthy with Eggplant
Due to the high water content, vitamins, minerals and healthy fats in eggplant it can help keep our hair healthy and strong, our nails from becoming brittle and dry and our skin glowing, soft and well hydrated naturally. The potent nutrients in eggplant can even help prevent skin cancer from forming as well.
Quitting Smoking
Eggplant contains small amounts of nicotine. The nicotine in eggplants may help smokers curve cigarette cravings while they are trying to quit smoking if added to their diet. There is no better way to quit smoking than naturally with a piece of nutrient packed fruit.
Potential Side Effects of Eggplant
Some people have been known to have allergic reactions to eggplant so this fruit should be eaten with cautions if one has never had it before. Otherwise, eggplant is safe and healthy to eat a few times a week.
Reference:
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eggplant
- www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=22
- www.naturalnews.com/027506_eggplant_skin_cancer.html
