Eggplant is a member of the Solanaceae family and nightshade plant family.It is considered a crucial part of the group of important crops by the researchers because of its anthocyanin antioxidant and nutritional compounds, which are quite evident from its purple color. Most people are of the opinion that eggplant (brinjal) is a vegetable, but technically, it is a fruit.Eggplant has very small seeds and in large numbers. These seeds grow from the edible part of the flower of the Solanum melongen plant. There is 0.2 oz (6 g) of carbohydrate present in eggplant. There are many sources that talk about the origin of eggplants. There were many varieties of aubergine that were grown hundreds of years ago that used to be yellow and white in color with very small shapes. Their structure used to resemble a swan, hen, or a goose egg, and from there, it got the name, eggplant. The way people enjoy it today was not the same in the past as well. For centuries, people resisted eating them as good food and often considered them as poisonous food from the plant because of their rich purple color as compared to other eating foods. It took many years to finally understand the amazing health benefits this purple fruit holds. After much research, people understood the nutrition of eggplant and started to eat it the same way we do today. Now researchers are continuously performing a lot of research to understand the health benefits of eggplant and its other uses apart from just eating it. Though eggplant is not as unique in having nutrient content as other fruits and vegetables can be, like berries and kale, this fruit is very unique. Brinjal has a very different and unique kind of antioxidant which is known as Nasunin, and this antioxidant is very beneficial to the body. The antioxidant Nasunin is an anthocyanin antioxidant that can be found in various varieties of eggplants, and also in many other dark-colored vegetables and fruits. White eggplant is a species from the same family it is grown as an ornamental plant and contains other nutrients but in a lesser amount in comparison.Not just that, Nasunin is also a key contributor to the many health benefits this food offers us. Just like every antioxidant, it also has the capacity to fight the free radical damage in the body, which is often a cause for disease development and is also the mechanism through which the body ages. Very little extra get stored as fats in the body from the eggplant.The most amount of Nasunin which is present in brinjal can be found in the shiny purple skin, hence if you are eating an eggplant, always eat it without peeling its skin, as the skin holds the most benefits. Eggplant has been an enjoyable part of our diet all around the world for many years as a traditional and healthy Mediterranean and Middle Eastern ingredient. Today places like France, Australia, Egypt, Italy, the US, the Indian subcontinent, and many others eat it as their staple diet. Eggplant raw has rich vitamin D content to have stronger bones.It has various names, but apart from eggplant and brinjal, it is also known as aubergine in many parts of the world. In places like South Asia, South Africa, and southeast Asia, eggplant is commonly referred to as brinjal. This fruit is very loved for the bright purple color skin it has apart from many health benefits and fleshy skin. This fruit has a bitter-sweet taste.Read on to know more about it You can also read almond oil nutrition facts and eggnog nutrition facts.Benefits Of Eggplant For The BodyEggplants, a superfood, are a tasty addition to any diet. They’re a terrific addition to stews and soups because of their texture and solidity. They may also be baked, roasted, grilled, mashed into a dip, or sautéed and are delicious on their own. Eggplants have a bit of a harsh and acidic flavor that many people dislike, but they have numerous health benefits that outweigh the taste. They are abundant in fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals, all of which are essential for the body’s health and function.Eggplants have rich dietary fiber content and hence are an essential part of any balanced diet. This fiber has a very crucial role in promoting good bowel movements, stimulating the secretion of gastric juice, and also in help in preventing constipation. It helps in better absorption of nutrients from the food and good food processing. Phenolic compounds are present in significant amounts in eggplants and this helps in strengthening the bone structure by lowering the risk of osteoporosis and also increasing the bone mineral density. Eggplants got their skin pigmentation because of these phenolic compounds.Calcium and potassium are also present in eggplants which help in enhancing bone strength and health by working together. Potassium helps in better absorption of calcium in the gut, while calcium is required to have a strong bone structure. Apart from calcium and potassium, iron is also very important to maintain good bone health. Antioxidants are those compounds that help in preventing any cell damage at the time when oxygen present in the body reacts with any harmful contents like the free radicals. Because of this cell damage, normal cell functioning, and inflammation gets caused which eventually lead to many chronic diseases. Food that is rich in antioxidants helps in neutralizing the free radicals which present oxidations and their after-effects.Nasunin, which is the most abundant anthocyanin antioxidant found in eggplants, is the reason for many health benefits which aubergine offers. It helps in fighting inflammation and oxidative stress. Nasunin also helps in protection against cell mutation, cell death, and damage of cell membrane and DNA which gets caused by oxidation.A portion of eggplant has many compounds which help in fighting cancer. That includes solasodine rhamnosyl glycosides (SRGs), anthocyanin, and chlorogenic acid. All these compounds give protection against cancer cells in the body. Chlorogenic acid and folic acid specifically prevent the free radicals from making any further cancerous cells in the body. It also prevents cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth. Apart from that, it acts as an antiviral, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and helps in lowering down the bad cholesterol in the body. Niacin reduces the risks of heart attacks.The rich fiber content of this purple fruit helps in maintaining a good cholesterol level in the body. The antioxidants present in it lower the LDL level in the body.To have eggplant in your diet is also very beneficial. Because of the high dietary fiber intake available in eggplants, the release of a hunger hormone called ghrelin because of this fiber prompts people to eat food. It has very low calories, which means that no extras will be there to get converted and get stored as saturated fat. The bioflavonoids present in eggplants help in lowering blood sugar levels. This overall reduces the strain on the heart, helps in better circulation of blood, and promotes a good cardiovascular system. Fiber present in eggplants also helps in reducing triglycerides and bad cholesterol in the body which are behind the development of any heart disease in the body. Having low HDL also helps in lowering the risk of strokes, atherosclerosis, and heart attack. Having eggplants twice or thrice a week will help in better regulation of glucose levels in the body.Vitamins And Mineral Profile Of EggplantVitamins: The vitamins and minerals present in solanum melongena maintain a good digestive system, heart health. The vitamin A present in aubergine is very important for development and growth and also helps to maintain a good immunity and vision. Vitamin C helps in repairing and regenerating tissues, gives protection against heart diseases, prevents scurvy, and decreases bad cholesterol. Eggplant raw has rich vitamin D content to have stronger bones. Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) helps in the proper secretion of bile in the body. Vitamin K present in aubergine improves the blood clotting mechanism and decreases the risk of osteoporosis. Vitamin B1, B2, niacin, B4, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, B9 all help maintain good blood pressure levels, reduce heart diseases, and fight against cancer cells.Minerals: Calcium present in this fruit is very important as it maintains a good human metabolism. Iron prevents the risk of anemia in the body. Most of the health problems today are caused by the acute deficiency of iron. Apart from green leafy vegetables, eggplant also provides a good amount of potassium. Magnesium has a huge role in maintaining good chemical reactions in the body, and hence magnesium present in eggplant is essential for many functions.Nutrition Profile Of One Cup Of EggplantThe nutrition information of solanum melongena is as follows. Every serving of aubergine of 3.5 oz (100 g) has about 25 calories, 0.03 oz (1 g) of protein, 0.007 oz (0.2 g) of saturated fats, 0.2 oz (6 g) of carbohydrate, 0.1 oz (3 g) of dietary fiber and a very low amount of sodium. The vitamin content of eggplant is folate, vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, calcium required for our daily values, magnesium, potassium, iron and phosphorus required for our daily values.Raw eggplants have high nutritional and natural plants compounds which can promote good cognitive functions and mental health. They also give protection against the free radicals in the body and help in the betterment of blood flow to the brain. This automatically helps in improving the mood and decreasing depression to a good extent. Apart from that, this fruit also is rich in vitamin B which includes B1, B2, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, and B9, which help in reducing anxiety in the body and managing stress. The vitamin C present in this vegetable helps prevent the free radicals from damaging any skin cells. Eventually, this helps in maintaining youthful skin and prevents premature aging signs like dark spots, fine lines, wrinkles, and saggy skin. This is also rich in vitamin K which helps in clotting blood. Different skin disorders, such as dermatitis and eczema, are reduced by eggplant’s anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, the minerals in eggplant, including zinc, iron, folate, and potassium, improve scalp health, strengthen strands of hair, and promote the formation of new hair cells by increasing blood flow to the scalp. Researchers are still learning more about eggplant nutrition’s health benefits. It may not have as many minerals as other food as kale or berries have, but it is surely one of a kind. It contains Nasunin, a form of antioxidant that is both unusual and incredibly useful. Nasunin is an anthocyanin antioxidant that can be found in a variety of eggplant varietals, as well as other darkly colored fruits and vegetables. Nasunin is one of the essential components of eggplant nutrition’s health benefits. It, like other antioxidants, can protect the body from damage caused by free radicals, which is a common cause of disease and the mechanism through which our bodies age. The purple skin of this vegetable/fruit contains the majority of the Nasunin, so eating the entire product, including the peel, is necessary to get all of the health advantages. It helps in controlling weight by preventing weight gain and maintains good gastrointestinal health.How Much Eggplant To Eat In A DayA small portion of either raw eggplant, baked eggplant, or grilled eggplant without the use of any oils will give you 24 kcal. Hence, you are free to enjoy this juicy fruit and its nutritional values without any limitations of getting overweight or anything.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 11 amazing eggplant nutrition facts that you need to know right now, then why not take a look at famous waterfalls in South America or 23 unheard O blood type facts?
Eggplant is a member of the Solanaceae family and nightshade plant family.
