9 Reasons Why You Should Not Eat Too Much Brinjal

Eggplant or Brinjal is a species of the nightshade family. It is known as a vegetable but botanically speaking it is a fruit. Eggplant is native to India but is now grown in many parts of the world. Being a good source of a number of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, dietary fibers, and other compounds, they are very beneficial for us and provides a lot of health and beauty benefits. However, there are also some side effects of eating too many eggplants and in this article, we will know about these side effects in detail.

# Can Stimulate Menstruation

Eggplant is diuretic in nature and because of this reason, pregnant women are advised to not to consume it on a regular basis as it can stimulate menstruation in them. In addition to this, eggplant is also a good source of phytohormones that aids in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome and amenorrhea. Although this is an advantage of eggplant but the same advantage act like a disadvantage for pregnant women.

# May Lead To Abortion

Eggplant is a good source of a number of vitamins, minerals, fibers, etc. and the presence of these compounds make them very beneficial for our health but eggplant is not so beneficial for pregnant women as they contain compounds that stimulate menstruation.

Because of their menstruation-inducing properties, consumption of eggplant may also lead to absorption and for this reason, pregnant women are advised to not to consume them on a regular basis and consult their doctor about the same.

# May cause Acidic Problems

Consuming eggplant may cause acidity problem and for this reason, too, it is advised to avoid eggplant during pregnancy.

# Can Cause Allergic Reactions

Eggplant is very beneficial for us and provides a lot of health benefits. However, they may cause allergic reactions in some individuals ( as per studies performed by India’s Central Food Research Institute). Some common reactions of eggplant allergy are swelling of throat, nausea, itchiness, and rashes.

# May Contain Nicotine

As per a report published in the New England Journal Of Medicine ( 1993), eggplant contains the highest amount of nicotine in them. Nicotine is the same addictive substance that is found in tobacco and which make people addicted to smoking and chewing tobacco.

However, according to research published in New York Times, eggplant doesn’t contain nicotine but the nicotinic acid which has a molecular structure similar to nicotine but is not addictive and is very different from nicotine.

Unlike nicotine, it doesn’t cause harm to our body, is an excellent source of niacin which is an essential vitamin needed for our blood and brain function. Both eggplant and tobacco plant belong to nightshade family and eggplant may contain some nicotine in it. For a safer side, it is better to consume eggplant in moderate quantity.

# Too Much Potassium And Fibers Is Bad

Eggplant is a good source of a number of compounds like folate, potassium, fiber, etc. and the presence of these compounds make them very beneficial for our health. However, the excess of these compounds is bad as there are side effects associated with it.

Too much of potassium can upset stomach, vomiting, can give rise to hyperkalemia. Similarly, an excess of fiber can give rise to constipation, diarrhea, difficulty in the absorption of nutrients and so on. For this reason, too, it is advisable to eat eggplant in moderate quantity.

# Can Cause Spinach Poisoning

Eggplant is a good source of nitrates that naturally converts into nitrites in our stomach. Later, these nitrates react with amino acids of proteins and form nitrosamines. These naturally converted nitrosamines are not unsafe for a healthy adult.

# Interfere With Antidepressant Drugs

If you are on an antidepressant or antihypertensives medicines then it is better to stop adding eggplant to your diet. This is because eggplant contains a small amount of tyramine is a pressor amine that constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure.

The antidepressant drugs are monoamine oxidase inhibitors that inhibit the action of enzymes that break down tyramine and eliminate it out of the body. Consuming eggplant along with antidepressant drugs may interfere with this elimination process.

# May Give False Positive Result In Carcinoid Tumors Test

Eggplant may interfere with the test result of carcinoid tumors and it is advisable to stop consuming eggplant at least 72 hours before the test. This is because eggplant contains serotonin, which also gets secreted from the carcinoid tumors. Stopping eggplant consumption 72 hours prior to testing ensures that the current reading of serotonin ( as secreted by carcinoid tumors) comes into the report and there is no interference of serotonin ( released by the eggplant).