- The many health benefits of eating eggplants.
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- Eggplant, also called aubergine, is a tasty, nutrient filled vegetable.
- It is part of the nightshade vegetable family and there are many heath benefits of eating eggplants worth mentioning.
- Eggplant is very popular in Asian, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean cuisine.
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- Let’s take a look at the health benefits of eating eggplants:
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- Antioxidant rich:
- Eggplants are rich in antioxidants, especially chlorogenic acid. Antioxidants protect the body from the effects of oxidative stress, which may help strengthen the immune system and ward off diseases.
- Dr. Andrew Weil explains, “oxidative stress is the total burden placed on organisms by the constant production of free radicals in the normal course of metabolism plus whatever other pressures the environment brings to bear (natural and artificial radiation, toxins in air, food and water; and miscellaneous sources of oxidizing activity, such as tobacco smoke).”
- The effects of oxidative stress are often linked to chronic illnesses such as heart disease and many types of cancers.
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- Brain health:
- It is great for the brain because of a phytonutrient found in the skin called nasunin. This compound has potent antioxidant properties and has been shown in a study from the University of California Berkeley to inhibit cell membrane damage. Nasunin protects the lipids (fat) in cell membranes, which are responsible for receiving instruction from messenger molecules in the brain.
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- Colon cancer:
- Studies have shown that a high fiber diet may help prevent cancer of the colon. It is important to get enough fiber in your diet to keep your digestive tract clean and healthy.
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- Heart health:
- One of the most potent health benefits of eating eggplants is related to heart health.
- In a study from Yamagata University in Japan, eggplant juice was shown to lower cholesterol in animals.
- According to the American Heart Association, “High cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke.” The nasunin in eggplant also helps regulate iron in our bodies. While iron is a crucial nutrient, too much of it can in crease the risk of heart disease.
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- Prevents blood clots:
- It is a great source of vitamin K. One cup of eggplant provides 4% of the recommended daily value for vitamin K. This potent vitamin helps strengthen the capillaries, keeping blood clots from forming.
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- Skin cancer:
- Eggplant may help with skin cancer by using a skin cream with eggplant extracts called BEC. Dr. Bill E. Cham, one the leaders in this area of research had this to say: “A cream formulation containing high concentrations (10%) of a standard mixture of solasodine glycosides (BEC) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of malignant and benign human skin tumors.
- We now report that a preparation… which contains very low concentrations of BEC (0.005%) is effective in the treatment of keratoses, basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the skin of humans. In an open study, clinical and histological observations indicated that all lesions (56 keratoses, 39 BCCs and 29 SCCs) treated with [the preparation] had regressed.”
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- Weight loss:
- Eggplant is great for a weight loss diet. It is low in calories and high in fiber. One cup of eggplant contains only 33 calories and 2.5 grams of dietary fiber, which is 10% of the recommended daily value. Dietary fiber is essential in weight loss because it helps you feel full, so you eat less. Eggplant is also naturally fat free.
