Eggplant is a prominent representative of the nightshade family. In Asia, it bears the proud name of the Vegetable of Longevity, and for good reason, because the use of this product in reasonable quantities has a positive effect on human health.
What is eggplant
In everyday life, eggplants are considered vegetables, but from a biological point of view, this is not entirely true. All the fruits of plants of the Solanaceae family are scientifically classified as berries, although for culinary experts this is something shocking. Along with eggplant, berries include, for example, tomatoes and peppers.
Also today it is widely believed that the eggplant should be dark purple or blue, and in some regions the name "blue" is even common for this culture. But even this is not entirely correct. Currently, there are white, black, and slightly yellowish varieties of this plant.
Whatever color the eggplant fruit is, its value for the human body does not change from this. But some contraindications should also be taken into account.
Benefit for health
Eggplant dishes, due to the presence of some coarse fibers in them, cleanse the intestines from all accumulated debris, toxins and toxins. The special substances that give the eggplant its color are called anthocyanins. They have powerful disinfecting properties, strengthen the immune system and protect the body from harmful environmental influences.
Eggplant has a beneficial effect on the state of blood vessels and the entire cardiovascular system as a whole, regulating the level of harmful cholesterol. The presence of the trace element potassium in fruits helps to strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
Eggplant is a dietary product, its calorie content is only 25 per 100 grams. The eggplant fruit prepared without the help of fat and oils can be safely varied in the diet.
Contraindications
Any representatives of the nightshade family tend to accumulate a poisonous substance - solanine. Its concentration is especially high in unripe fruits. Excess solanine can lead to severe poisoning, nausea and vomiting. Therefore, only mature vegetables should be included in food, and not included in the diet every day. In addition, even if you are confident in the quality and maturity of the product, it should be excluded from meals during pregnancy, since this poison, even in small quantities, causes some risk of provoking a miscarriage.
Eggplants cleanse the intestines well, and this is both a big plus for healthy people and a strict contraindication for people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, because there is a risk of exacerbation of gastritis or peptic ulcer disease.
When using any product from the nightshade family, you should observe the measure. Listen to your body, choose only high-quality products and do not abuse these vegetables, then the body will thank you with excellent health.
