Sarah EatonEggplants, native to the Indian subcontinent, are fruits that are now found worldwide. They are purple or black, glossy, and can grow to be bigger than a foot in length. Eggplants are used in several different cultural cuisines and are chock-full of nutrition. For example, eggplant health benefits include cancer prevention, digestion aid, and management of diabetes. But that’s just a handful of all this plant can do for your health. Learn more by reading below.
Here are 10 eggplant health benefits:
1. Aids in Digestion
Eggplant health benefits, thanks to the fiber content, start with the ability to aid in digestion. Fiber is crucial for gastrointestinal health. It keeps you regular, bulking up your bowel movements so they pass more easily through your digestive tract. Fiber also stimulates the secretion of gastric juices. This helps you absorb nutrients.
2. Promotes Weight Loss
Eggplants have very little fat and cholesterol. That being the case, eggplant health benefits include promoting weight loss. Plus, the fiber is filling, which inhibits the release of ghrelin. That’s the hormone that tells your brain when you’re hungry. As the fiber in eggplants can fill you up and reduce your appetite, it will reduce the likelihood of overeating, making weight loss more successful.
3. Prevent Cancer
Eggplant health benefits continue with the ability to fight against cancer-causing free radicals. Antioxidants in eggplants such as vitamin C help stimulate the production and activity of white blood cells. Furthermore, eggplants contain nasunin and chlorogenic acid. These are two antioxidants that also fight against free radicals. Additionally, they have shown antiviral and antibacterial activity. These and other antioxidants can protect your body against cancer and heart disease, both of which are linked to uncontrolled free radicals in the body. (1)
4. Improves Bone Health
Eggplant health benefits extend to your bones, as well. The phenolic compounds, which give eggplants their unique color, are linked to stronger bones, reduced signs of osteoporosis, and increased bone mineral density. Furthermore, eggplants contain a high amount of iron and calcium, both of which are crucial in bone health. (2)
5. Prevents Anemia
Anemia, developed from an iron deficiency, is dangerous to your overall health. It causes headaches, migraines, fatigue, weakness, depression, and cognitive malfunction. However, this is where eggplant health benefits come in to play again. Eggplants contain a decent amount of fiber, as well as copper, which, just like iron, is another essential part of healthy red blood cells. Eat enough foods rich in copper and iron to fight anemic symptoms of fatigue and stress.
6. Promotes Healthy Brain Function
Eggplants contain phytonutrients, which are great at boosting cognitive activity. They defend against free radical activity as well as increase blood flow to the brain. Furthermore, they stimulate the development of neural pathways, which boosts memory and analytical thoughts. Overall, eggplants are a fantastic brain food.
7. Improves Heart Health
Eggplant health benefits continue with the ability to protect your heart. This is through the fiber eggplants contained, as mentioned above, but also through the ability to reduce bad cholesterol while stimulating the uptake of good cholesterol.
Furthermore, due to the content of bioflavonoids, eggplants can reduce strain on the cardiovascular system. (3)
8. Manages Diabetes
Because of the high-fiber content and the low amount of soluble carbohydrates in eggplants, this fruit is great for managing diabetes. Eggplants can help regulate glucose, adding to the list of eggplant health benefits.
9. Prevents Birth Defects
Eggplant health benefits continue with preventing birth defects. This is due to eggplants being rich in folic acid, which makes it a great, healthy snack for pregnant women. Folic acid works by protecting infants from neural tube defects.
10. Full of Nutrients
Overall, eggplants are a great choice when it comes to nutrition. They are rich in vitamins C, K, and B6, as well as thiamin, niacin, magnesium, phosphorous, copper, fiber, folic acid, potassium, and manganese. Furthermore, they contain almost no cholesterol or saturated fat.
Caution: Eggplants are in the nightshade family, which can cause allergic reactions in some people. Speak to your doctor before eating large quantities of a new food, and pay attention to any symptoms of an allergic reaction.