Eggplant, its nutritional profile, biological activity, health benefits, therapeutic uses and culinary uses
Description : Eggplant is a nutritious food belongs to nightshade family. It is also known as aubergine or
Article Details :
Eggplant is a nutritious food belongs to nightshade family. It is also known as aubergine or brinjal. It has been traditionally used for various medicinal purposes.
Nutritional profile
- It contains lesser amount of carbohydrates thus it is considered as a low glycemic food
- Whereas it is significantly rich in fibre
- It contains lesser amount of protein as well
- It is packed with several important micronutrients such as Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin B9, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and manganese
- It is also loaded with numerous phytonutrients that exert various nutraceutical activities
Biological activity
Antioxidant activity
- It is loaded with antioxidants among which nasunin is extremely beneficial
- It mainly helps to decrease the concentration of free radicals within body and protects the body from their harmful effects
- It is also associated with preventing cellular damages and helps in sustaining cellular functions that ultimately promotes overall wellbeing
- Moreover its consumption is very useful for reducing the susceptibility of developing chronic diseases as its antioxidant components are responsible for preventing oxidative stress

Anti-carcinogenic activity
- Solasodine rhamnosyl glycosides are the components present in eggplant play vital role in reducing the prevalence of cancers as they have cancer fighting properties
- It plays vital role in suppressing the growth of malignant cells within body by inducing apoptosis and also prevents metastasis
- It has seen that consumption of eggplant significantly decreases the prevalence of skin cancer, colorectal cancer, stomach cancer, bladder cancer, cervical cancer, pancreatic cancer and breast cancer
Antimicrobial activity
- It exerts potent antimicrobial activity that helps to hinder the growth of microbes within host
- Its consumption is thus thought to be very helpful for reducing the susceptibility of developing infectious diseases
Health benefits
Role on nervous system
- Its consumption is very effective for promoting the health and activity of brain as it contains various important nutrients that help to support the normal functioning of nervous system
- Phytonutrients present in eggplant help to protect the membrane of brain cell from damages as a result help to sustain their activity
- It is also associated with facilitating message transfer from one cell to another and aids in preserving memory function
- The antioxidant nasunin plays vital role in protecting nerve cells from free radical induced oxidative damages as a result helps in reducing the risk of developing neurological disorders like dementia, Alzheimer’s disease etc
- Its consumption is also very useful for improving cognition
Role on immunity
- Antioxidants, phytonutrients and micronutrients components of eggplant play imperative role in strengthening the overall immune system of body as a result it helps in decreasing the susceptibility of becoming ill
- Its antimicrobial activity helps in shielding the body from any foreign invaders as a result lowers the risk of developing infectious diseases
- It helps to promote the functionality of immune cells too, by protecting them from oxidative damages
- It is also associated with enhancing the resistance power of body hence makes the defense mechanism relatively stronger
Role on eye health
- It is better to inclued eggplant in diet for obtaining a healthy eye
- It is significantly rich in lutein that plays vital role in reducing the susceptibility of age related macular degeneration, which is considered as one of the leading causes of blindness
- Its antioxidant activity is also related with protecting the eye from oxidative damages, which ultimately reduces the risk of developing eye disorders
- It helps to promote vision as well

Role on digestive health
- Incorporation of eggplant in diet is very useful for obtaining a healthy digestive system
- Its fibre content, micronutrients and phytonutrient components play significant role in promoting overall gastrointestinal health
- Fibre present in eggplant acts as laxative thus its consumption is thought to be very effective for preventing constipation. It is closely related with enhancing bowel movement as a result facilitates defecation
- It is Read more