Everyone, now or shortly in the future, will be trying to give away vegetables from their gardens. People are often happy to get their hands on extra cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and beans. Even zucchini can be a welcome gift. However, what about Eggplant? Fewer people will jump on the chance to grab a free homegrown eggplant and that is a shame.
Eggplants are used in a variety of dishes around the world and belong to the nightshade family. Many consider them a vegetable but truth is they are a fruit. Eggplants come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be a deep purple, red, green or even black. They are also very healthy. Here are the six benefits of eating eggplants.
Rich in Nutrients:
One cup of eggplants contains only 20 calories and 5 grams of carbs. It provides 3 grams of fibre and 1 gram of protein. However, that 1 cup of eggplant will give you 10% of your daily requirement of manganese, 5% of folate, 5% of potassium, 4% of vitamin K, and 3% of vitamin C.
High in Antioxidants:
Eggplants are high in anthocyanins which contains antioxidant properties that can protect our bodies from cellular damage.
May Help Reduce Heart Disease:
Some studies have shown that the antioxidants in eggplants may help lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, which can reduce the risk of heart disease.
May Control Blood Sugar:
Due to relatively high fibre content of eggplants, it could help in lowering blood sugar by slowing the rate of digestion and absorption of sugar within the body. This helps to manage blood sugar levels and prevents sugar spikes and crashes.
Help with Weight Loss:
Being high in fibre and low in calories, eggplant is an excellent addition to anyone’s diet whose goal is to lose weight.
May have Cancer-Fighting Benefits:
Eggplants contain several compounds that could help fight cancer including Solasodine Rhamnosyl Glycoside (SRG).
Eggplants are very versatile and are used in a variety of ways. Check out these recipes for ideas on how to use them.
https://www.epicurious.com/recipes-menus/16-reasons-we-love-eggplant-gallery
