Some of the Benefits of Eggplant for Body Health Page 1 of 2
What plant actually is eggplant?
Eggplant is widely grown in tropical and subtropical countries such as South Asia, Southeast Asia and South Africa. Although eggplant is more commonly processed as a vegetable or side dish, eggplant is actually a fruit. The fate is the same as cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, or chilies which are more often eaten than consumed as fruits.
When you hear the word eggplant, you may immediately think of a deep purple fruit that looks like a cucumber. In fact, there are various other types of eggplant that are not very popular. The types include green eggplant and round eggplant. Round eggplant is usually served as a complement to fresh vegetables. However, no matter what type of eggplant you like, its health benefits are still good and should not be overlooked.
Benefits of eggplant for health
So far, eggplant is rarely seen as a source of nutritious food. In fact, the benefits of eggplant are so diverse, ranging from maintaining heart health to making skin glow naturally. Here is the full explanation.
1. Maintain heart health
The content of fiber, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and phytonutrients makes eggplant so great for your heart health. In addition, the flavonoids or water-soluble pigments in eggplant can also prevent various types of heart disease.
According to a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2012, one type of flavonoid that is effective for protecting the heart is anthocyanins. These pigments can also lower your blood pressure. So, you are at risk for heart disease or hypertension should start eating eggplant which is rich in anthocyanins.
2. Control cholesterol levels
A study conducted by experts in Brazil shows that regularly eating eggplant can help you control cholesterol levels. The reason is, a research team at the United States Department of Agriculture found that eggplant is rich in chlorogenic acid compounds.
This compound is proven to be able to reduce body weight and levels of bad cholesterol or LDL (low density lipoprotein) in the body. Eggplant itself does not contain cholesterol at all, so it is safe for consumption by people who need to maintain a balanced cholesterol level.
Apart from lowering bad cholesterol levels, chlorogenic acid also functions as an antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-carcinogen. You will also avoid various other dangerous diseases if you regularly eat eggplant.