Favorite eggplant ... Many are looking forward to the summer to enjoy these wonderful fruits. The abundance of dishes that can be prepared with this wonderful vegetable is simply amazing: fried and stewed, steam, in the form of snacks and caviar. In any form, they retain an unforgettable, amazing taste. Today we will take a closer look at the harm and benefits of eggplant to the body. Based on this, we can conclude how often you can eat them in food.
Eggplant is a completely unique vegetable, which has not only a characteristic purple color and an elongated shape, but also many useful trace elements, which we will talk about today.
How to choose eggplant
The harm and benefits of eggplant primarily depend on the quality of the fruit itself. These vegetables are of different types, so the color and shape are not always reliable indicators. There are round and oblong, white and green species. But most often in our market there are ordinary oblong purple vegetables. Be sure to pay attention to the color. Fresh young eggplant is dark, dry and shiny. Moreover, the younger the vegetable, the darker it is. Therefore, light, gray, brown eggplants should not be bought - they are likely to be overripe. Do not forget to carefully feel the fruit: because of the dark surface, you can easily skip the rotted places.
As already mentioned, the harm and benefits of eggplant depend on how fresh the vegetables are. While lying down, they did not prove themselves in the best way, so buy as much as you plan to eat immediately. Then it’s better to buy fresh ones.
What is included in the eggplant
Let's see what your body gets when you eat eggplant. This is a surprisingly tasty and healthy vegetable in the nightshade family, so in the summer you need to cook it as often as possible, if there are no contraindications. The harm and benefits of eggplant depend on how to cook them, but we will talk about this a little later. Ripe vegetables contain fiber and organic acids, pectin. In addition, they are rich in various vitamins. This is primarily vitamins A, P, C, the entire group B. But this set is not limited to. Eggplant contains a variety of tannins, natural sugars, proteins and fats. Eggplant contains calcium and magnesium, potassium and phosphorus, sodium and iron, manganese and copper, as well as zinc, aluminum and cobalt.
Such an amazing variety of trace elements and vitamins determines the popularity that eggplant has. The benefits and harms to health are determined quite easily: if you do not have serious contraindications, then this vegetable must be eaten regularly. This will not only provide the body with the necessary nutrients, but also normalize the metabolism.
The benefits of blue vegetables
We have already examined what eggplants are rich in. The benefits and harm to the body are explained by the presence of biologically active substances, and only in exceptional cases they can harm. Normally, they benefit all organs and systems of the body. It is eggplant that gently regulates blood cholesterol. Due to this property, they impede the development of atherosclerosis, and therefore, favorably affect the activity of the cardiovascular system. Vascular health is the duration of our lives, so you can’t but use the chance to prolong their youth.
Eggplant is extremely useful for diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract. This is due to the fact that vegetables have a mild diuretic effect. In addition, eggplant has a slight laxative effect, that is, it helps to cleanse the intestines and bile ducts. The use of this product in food favorably affects the work of the liver, therefore, if not everything is in order with this important organ, then it is worth eating eggplant daily. At the same time, eating a lot of vegetables is not necessary at all - just 1 tablespoon of stewed product per day is enough.
Red bone marrow, immunity and eggplant
Surprisingly, the properties of eggplant are truly endless. The benefits and harms of this product depend, first of all, on the method of preparation, but when used correctly, purple vegetables are extremely beneficial for bone marrow and spleen. They quickly normalize blood formation processes and blood composition. Daily use of eggplant helps increase hemoglobin and the formation of red blood cells. If you have anemia, then eggplant is what the doctor ordered.
Eggplant slimming
Indeed, if you are planning a long-term diet, then be sure to include these wonderful vegetables in it. They are low-calorie and very nutritious, which means you will quickly get enough, and your hand will not reach for the supplement. The only exception is fried eggplant. The benefits and harms of this dish are obvious: the vegetable itself is a storehouse of nutrients and trace elements, but, saturated with oil, it turns into the exact opposite. If you are unable to refuse this method of cooking blue vegetables, then before frying, cut them into slices and salt. After about 30 minutes, you can start frying. There is another way: before cooking, put the slices for 10 minutes in cold water - so they also absorb less oil. Do not forget to use a disposable paper towel that absorbs excess fat. But still, this method of preparation cannot be called the most useful, so let's talk about how else to cook this vegetable.
How to cook them
It is best to eat baked or stewed eggplant. Baked in the oven with tomato sauce and spices, it will successfully replace the fried in the pan. Even beloved eggplant caviar can be cooked without oil, simply by stewing the vegetables over low heat. It will turn out no less tasty and very healthy. An excellent and bright appetizer is obtained from grilled eggplant. Eggplant can be salted and dried, pickled. There is even eggplant jam with a touch of sourness and bitterness.
Indications for the use of eggplant
Eggplant can be consumed by almost everyone. It is recommended for healthy and sick, pregnant women and the elderly. But children under 3 years old should not be given. Eggplant contains solanine, and although it is pre-soaked, a small amount may remain. In addition, eggplant contains a lot of indigestible fiber and very few calories. And children need precisely calories and energy. Therefore, this vegetable is more suitable for weight loss or as side dishes and snacks than as a full-fledged dish. Otherwise, it is the features of your body that determine the benefits and harms of eggplant. The benefits and harms of food are generally mixed - it all depends on the quantity and method of cooking.
Traditional medicine recipes
Like many other gifts of nature, they use this vegetable not only for food. Eggplant peel is used to treat some ailments. The benefits and harms of this product are called into question by adherents of official medicine, however, folk doctors say that it can be used to get rid of hypertension. To do this, peel it in a coffee grinder and take a teaspoon before bedtime. Want to quit smoking? And then eggplant will help. The nicotinic acid contained in the fruits will help to overcome discomfort, and without harm to health.
Contraindications
With caution, eggplant should be consumed by people with various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Fiber, which is rich in eggplant, can cause exacerbation of gastritis, upset intestines, exacerbation of peptic ulcer. For diseases of the liver and gall bladder, you should also consult a doctor or consume a little vegetable, listening to your feelings. It must be remembered that any contraindication is relative, and even if you are absolutely healthy by medical standards, but after using this product you feel uncomfortable, you should consult a doctor or completely abandon the use of eggplant.
To summarize
Eggplant is an extremely healthy vegetable. Learn how to cook it properly. First of all, stop frying it in oil - and get a product that is amazing in its properties. It not only supplies your body with useful trace elements, but also heals and tidies up the metabolism, the work of internal organs. In addition, this vegetable is quite cheap, especially in season. It is quite possible to see him on his desk daily.