Eggplant or Brinjal is a nutritious vegetable that grows on the tree of the same name and belongs to the Solanaceae family of the flowering plant. It is native to India but is now grown in many regions of the world. Nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, polyphenols, and dietary fibers, etc in eggplant provide several health and beauty benefits.
# Promotes Weight LossEggplant is beneficial for individuals who would like to get rid of some extra pounds because of its low calorific value.
Eating 100 grams of eggplant provides 25 calories of energy.
Dietary fibers in eggplant provide stomach satiety, controls our urge to eat again and again, and thus controls overeating which is a prime cause of obesity.
Raw eggplant contains 92% water that helps in weight management as it reduces calorie overload, controls overeating, improves digestion, and increases absorption of nutrients.
# Reduces The Risk Of CancersVitamin C, Vitamin A, and other relevant compounds like nasunin, chlorogenic aid, polyphenols, and carotenoids, etc in eggplant protect our cells from free radical damage and reduce the risk of several cancers like colon cancer, abdominal cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer, etc.
Free radicals are the unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from the neighboring molecules, and doing so causes oxidative damage to them.
# Make Our Bones StrongerEggplant strengthens our bones and teeth due to the presence of bone-strengthening minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium, etc in it.
Calcium promotes the growth and development of the bones, and lack of this mineral may increase the risk of bone disorders like osteoporosis.
Potassium neutralizes acid load, reduces loss of calcium from the bones, and thus improves bone density.
Magnesium also improves bone density and thus contributes to better bone health.
Manganese in eggplant increases calcium absorption and improves the bone mineral density of the spinal column.
Vitamin C, an anti-inflammatory compound in eggplant minimizes pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis, a condition in which protective tissues at the ends of bones wear down.
Other nutrients like zinc, phosphorus, and folate, etc also aid in making our bones healthier.
# Reduces The Risk Of AnemiaIron-induced anemia is a blood disorder mainly caused by the deficiency of iron in the body. It gives rise to symptoms like fatigue, weakness, pale skin, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, and cold hands or feet, etc.
Iron, a vital mineral present in the eggplant aids in the prevention and treatment of Iron-induced anemia as it increases the production of red blood cells that carries oxygenated blood to cells and tissues and provides nourishment to them.
Vitamin C and copper present in eggplant increase iron absorption in the body and are beneficial against anemia.
# Good For BrainEggplant is good for the brain and improves our neurological health.
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in the eggplant protects our brain cells or the neurons from free radical damage, and thus minimizes the risk of various neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amnesia, and dementia, etc.
Other nutrients like iron, potassium, zinc, iron, and magnesium, etc in the eggplant also contribute to neurological health as they provide several cognitive benefits like a sharper memory, better focus, improved concentration, and reduced mental confusion, etc.
# Keeps Our Digestive System HealthyEggplant is good for the stomach and improves our digestive health.
Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and carotenoids, etc in eggplant protect our digestive system from free radical damage and minimizes the risk of colon cancer, abdominal cancer, pancreatic cancer, intestinal cancer, and stomach cancer, etc.
The laxative properties of dietary fibers in eggplant improves bowel movement, aids in stool elimination, and thus relieve constipation and other gastrointestinal issues like abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, gas, bloating and flatulence, etc.
Other nutrients like zinc, iron, magnesium, and folate, etc also improves our digestive health.