12 Benefits of Eggplant for Health
Eggplant is often processed into various types of processed foods and beverages. And this eggplant has various health benefits. This purple vegetable contains a number of nutrients that are believed to protect the body from various diseases.
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12 Benefits of Eggplant for Health |
Not only purple, eggplant actually has various types and colors, such as green, black, white, and orange. However, the most widely known and consumed eggplant is the oval-shaped and purple one. Although the taste is slightly bitter, this vegetable has a soft meat texture.
The following is the content of carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals contained in 100 grams (g) of eggplant:
- Water: 92.3 g
- Energy: 25 calories (Cal)
- Protein: 0.98 g
- Fat: 0.18 g
- Carbs: 5.88 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Calcium: 9 milligrams (mg)
- Iron: 0.23 mg
- Magnesium: 14 mg
- Phosphorus: 24 mg
- Potassium: 2 mg
- Zinc: 0.16 mg
- Vitamin C: 2.2 mg
- Folate: 22 mcg
- Beta carotene: 14 micrograms (mcg)
- Lutein + zeaxanthin: 36 mcg.
Eggplant Benefits for Health
There are various nutrients that can be obtained from eggplant, namely calories, protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and fat. In addition, eggplant also contains a variety of vitamins and minerals, such as folic acid, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, calcium, iron, and magnesium.
With its nutritional content, eggplant is believed to have a number of health benefits, including:
1. Reducing the risk of heart disease
Purple eggplant skin is thought to contain an antioxidant called nasunin. One of the benefits of this antioxidant compound is to reduce the risk of heart disease.
In addition, a study revealed that the antioxidants in eggplant also have the ability to lower bad cholesterol levels in the blood. That way, the risk of heart problems will be lower.
2. Control cholesterol levels
A study in the journal Phytotherapy Research shows that regularly eating eggplant can help you control cholesterol levels.
The reason, eggplant is rich in chlorogenic acid compounds. This compound is proven to be able to reduce weight and levels of bad cholesterol or LDL (low-density lipoprotein) in the body.
The eggplant itself does not contain cholesterol at all so it is safe to eat for people who need to maintain a balance of cholesterol levels.
In addition to lowering bad cholesterol levels, chlorogenic acid functions as an antiviral, antimicrobial, and anticarcinogenic.
3. Prevent diabetes
Eggplant also contains lots of fiber and polyphenols that can lower blood sugar levels. In addition, eggplant can also reduce sugar absorption and increase insulin levels in the blood so that it can prevent diabetes.
4. Lose weight
Eggplant is one of the low-calorie foods and is rich in fiber content, so you can consume it every day to lose and maintain weight. Fiber can keep the stomach full longer so it can reduce overall calorie intake.
5. Smooth the digestive system
Not only losing weight, but the fiber content in eggplant can also launch the digestive system. In addition, fiber can also increase metabolic processes in the body and absorption of food in the intestines.
6. Benefits of eggplant for brain function
The benefits of eggplant can also be obtained from the skin. Eggplant skin is rich in nasunin, which is an antioxidant that is good for maintaining brain health.
Nasunin is able to protect brain cell membranes from free radical attacks and launch the process of distributing nutrients in the body's cells.
Another nutrient in eggplant that is good for your brain is anthocyanins. These pigment substances are responsible for triggering blood circulation to the brain and preventing inflammation of the brain nerves.
This can prevent various diseases and disorders of cognitive function of the brain caused by the aging process.
7. Maintain bone health
The high manganese content in eggplant is also good for maintaining bone health. This is because manganese can help the process of bone formation and increase bone density. That way, your risk of developing osteoporosis becomes lower.
8. Reduces the risk of cancer
Not many have highlighted one of the benefits of eggplant, namely reducing the risk of cancer. In fact, eggplant contains a lot of polyphenols, anthocyanins, and chlorogenic acid.
These substances are good for preventing tumor growth and stopping the spread of cancer cells in your body.
In addition, these three substances can trigger the production of special enzymes in cells whose job is to remove various toxins and kill cancer cells.
Chlorogenic acid is also antimutagen. That is, this compound can fight gene damage in the body that is at risk of causing cancer.
9. Protects the body from bacterial infections
A study shows that the antioxidants in eggplant, such as nasunin and chlorogenic acid, have antibacterial effects that can protect the body from bacterial infections. Some of the bacteria in question include Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Even so, these studies are still limited in the laboratory so that further research still needs to be developed to ensure the benefits of this one eggplant.
10. Maintain Eye Health
In fact, the benefits of eggplant also play a role in eye health. It contains the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein appears to play a role in eye health and may help prevent age-related macular degeneration, which can lead to vision loss in the elderly.
11. Make skin softer and glowing
Unexpectedly, eggplant can be the answer to dull and dry skin problems.
This is because eggplant fruit is rich in antioxidants and consists of approximately 92% water. That's why eating eggplant can help moisturize and nourish the skin from within.
Antioxidants are also in charge of counteracting free radicals that can kill your skin cells. These free radicals cause the skin to be less supple and appear darker.
12. Increase Body Metabolism
The benefits of eggplant for the body can also increase immunity in the body. The content of phytonutrients in eggplant can also protect brain cell membranes.
The benefits of eggplant for men and women are useful for improving body functions. A healthy body that functions properly is the result of good metabolic activity in the body. Vitamin B6 present in fruit helps in energy production.
It helps convert calories into useful energy, thereby limiting excessive weight gain as well. Vitamins also contribute to increasing the metabolism of hemoglobin in the body and facilitate the transport of blood.
Thank you, hope it's useful.