Aubergine: 10 geweldige gezondheidsvoordelen, voedingsfeiten en bijwerkingen

Aubergine ( Solanum melongena ) wordt ook wel eierplant of aubergine genoemd. Het komt uit de nachtschadefamilie van planten. Het is rijk aan vezels en arm aan calorieën.

Aubergine is verkrijgbaar in verschillende kleuren, maten en soorten. Deze groente (technisch gezien een vrucht) bevat ook vitamines, mineralen en antioxidanten die de gezondheid van het hart bevorderen, de bloedsuikerspiegel onder controle houden, het risico op kanker verminderen, de cognitieve functie verbeteren en helpen bij het afvallen.

In dit artikel hebben we de gezondheidsvoordelen van aubergines uitgebreid besproken, samen met de mogelijke bijwerkingen. Lees verder.

Wat zijn de gezondheidsvoordelen van aubergine?

1. Kan de gezondheid van het hart bevorderen

Aubergines zouden antioxiderende eigenschappen hebben die de gezondheid van het hart kunnen helpen bevorderen (1).

Een studie uitgevoerd door de University of Connecticut School of Medicine wees uit dat rauwe en gekookte aubergines cardioprotectieve eigenschappen hadden. Nasunin, een polyfenolische component in aubergine, is gunstig voor het hart (2).

Een ander onderzoek bij konijnen met hypercholesterolemie (hoog cholesterol) wees uit dat auberginesap het cholesterolgehalte in het plasma en de aorta kan verlagen (3). Ook kan dagelijkse inname van aubergines de hoge bloeddruk bij gestreste personen onder controle houden (4).

2. Kan de bloedsuikerspiegel onder controle houden

Aubergine is een rijke bron van vezels en laag in oplosbare koolhydraten. Het kan helpen bij het reguleren van de bloedsuikerspiegel en het reguleren van de opname van glucose. In vitro studies van aubergines hebben aangetoond dat de fenolen in deze groente werken als remmers van enzymen die betrokken zijn bij type 2 diabetes (5).

Een studie uitgevoerd door het Duitse Instituut voor Humane Voeding wees uit dat de consumptie van voedingsvezels en de metabolische effecten ervan diabetes kunnen helpen voorkomen. Vezels kunnen de opname van suiker vertragen en de bloedsuikerspiegel onder controle houden (6).

De polyfenolen in aubergines kunnen helpen de bloedsuikerspiegel onder controle te houden (7).

3. Kan het risico op kanker verminderen

Extracten in de schil van aubergines zijn rijk aan solasodine rhamnosylglycosiden (SRG's). Deze verbindingen hebben kankerbestrijdende eigenschappen en kunnen helpen bij de behandeling van huidkanker (8). Een studie uitgevoerd door het Australasian Medical Research wees uit dat de SRG's kankerceldood kunnen veroorzaken (9).

Een andere studie uitgevoerd door de Universiteit van Queensland wees uit dat een standaardmengsel van solasodineglycosiden effectief is gebleken bij de behandeling van kwaadaardige en goedaardige huidtumoren bij de mens (10).

4. Kan de cognitieve functie verbeteren

De fytonutriënten in aubergines kunnen de hersencelmembranen tegen beschadiging beschermen. Ze kunnen ook de overdracht van berichten van de ene cel naar de andere vergemakkelijken, waardoor de geheugenfunctie behouden blijft.

Vrije radicalen in de hersenen kunnen verantwoordelijk zijn voor neurale degeneratie, de ziekte van Alzheimer en dementie. Nasunin, de krachtige antioxidant in schillen van aubergines, kan neurale problemen remmen door deze vrije radicalen op te vangen. Dit verbetert de hersenfunctie en vermindert het risico op neurale aandoeningen (11), (12).

5. Kan helpen bij het afvallen

Aubergine heeft een hoog watergehalte en bevat weinig calorieën. Dit maakt het ideaal voor mensen die willen afvallen. De sponsachtige textuur van de groente maakt deze eigenschappen mogelijk.

Daarom moet u aubergine zoveel mogelijk in zijn natuurlijke vorm consumeren. De groente heeft ook een hoog vezelgehalte. De vezels houden je verzadigd en kunnen helpen bij het afvallen (13).

6. Kan de gezondheid van het oog bevorderen

Aubergine is rijk aan luteïne (14). De antioxidant kan leeftijdsgebonden maculaire degeneratie voorkomen, wat de hoofdoorzaak is van blindheid en slechtziendheid (15). Er is meer langetermijnonderzoek nodig om de mogelijke zichtbeschermende effecten van aubergines bij mensen te begrijpen.

7. Kan de botgezondheid verbeteren

Aubergine kan de botmineraaldichtheid helpen verbeteren en het risico op osteoporose verminderen (16). Deze groente bevat voedingsstoffen zoals calcium, magnesium en kalium die de botsterkte helpen bevorderen (16), (17).

8. Kan helpen bij de behandeling van bloedarmoede

De wereld heeft de afgelopen twee decennia een ongelooflijke stijging gezien van het aantal mensen met bloedarmoede. Volgens de WHO worden maar liefst 1,62 miljard mensen vandaag getroffen door bloedarmoede (18).

Iron deficiency is one of the root causes of anemia, which has symptoms such as headaches, weakness, and difficulty concentrating (19). Therefore, doctors suggest a diet rich in iron to combat anemia.

Eggplant contains around 0.2 mg of iron per 100 grams. This nutritional vegetable is also rich in copper (about 0.173 mg in 100 grams) (17). These two minerals work together effectively to aid the proper production and distribution of RBCs, thus boosting the energy and hemoglobin levels (20).

9. May Prevent Birth Defects

Eggplants contain folic acid that is essential for pregnant women (21). The intake of a folic acid-rich diet may help prevent birth defects. Folate deficiency leads to abnormalities in both mothers and fetuses (22).

10. May Improve Skin Health

Eggplants are rich in vitamins, minerals, anthocyanins (natural plant compounds), and antioxidants. Anecdotal evidence suggests that these may help improve skin glow and help slow down aging. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove this claim.

Let’s now take a look at the nutritional information of eggplant.

Eggplant Nutrition Facts

Eggplant is rich in calcium, iron, magnesium and several other important nutrients that aid the proper functioning of your body. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 1 cup (or 82 gms) of eggplant contains (17):

• Energy: 20.5 kcal
• Water: 75.7 g
• Protein: 0.8 g
• Carbohydrate: 4.82 g
• Fiber: 2.46 g
• Iron: 0.189 g
• Folate: 18 μg
• Manganese: 0.19 mg
• Potassium:188 mg
• Vitamin K: 2.87 μg

Eggplant also contains polyphenolic compounds, phytonutrients like nausinin and chlorogenic acid, fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins B6 and E, and minerals.

Including eggplant in your diet is easy. In the following sections we have discussed how to prepare and add it to your diet.

What Is The Best Way To Prepare An Eggplant?

Eggplants have smooth, glossy skin and are purple. They have a slightly bitter taste. Soaking an eggplant in salt will draw out the moisture and also the compounds that contribute to the bitter taste. Also, this process will reduce oil absorption during cooking.

To do this:

1. Always use a stainless steel knife to cut an eggplant. Carbon steel can react with the nutrients present in the eggplant and make the vegetable go black.
2. Have the eggplant with its skin to enjoy complete nutrition.
3. Cut the eggplant into the required size and shape. Sprinkle some salt over it and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. This will reduce its water content and make it absorb less oil while cooking.
4. Salting eggplants will also help reduce their bitter taste to some extent. Rinse eggplants after you have salted them. This will help remove the excess salt from them.
5. If you choose to bake the eggplant as a whole, make sure you pierce a lot of small holes on the skin with a fork. This will help the steam to pass through and escape. After baking, pass a knife through the eggplant. If it passes through easily, it is ready to be eaten.

Eggplants are a healthy addition to your daily diet, and you can prepare many dishes with them. In the following section, we have included a few recipes.

Recipes

1. Crispy Baked Eggplant

Ingredients

• 2 pounds of small to medium-sized eggplant
• Olive oil, for baking sheets
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon each of kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 3/4 cup of finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning
• 3/4 cup of plain panko breadcrumbs
• Marinara sauce for dipping (optional)

Procedure

1. Preheat the oven to 375^o Coat a baking sheet with oil. Set aside.
2. Whisk the eggs and a tablespoon of water in a shallow bowl.
3. ombine the panko or Rice Chex crumbs, parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in another bowl.
4. Cut the eggplants into thick rounds.
5. Dip the eggplant slices in the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off.
6. Dredge the dipped slices in the Parmesan mixture, pushing down gently to coat well.
7. Transfer the coated slices to the baking sheet.
8. Bake until golden brown on the bottom, for 17-20 minutes.
9. Flip the slices and continue baking until lightly browned on the other side but still slightly firm for about 10 minutes more.

Remove from the oven and serve as is or with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.

2. Eggplant Spirals With Greek Yogurt, Tomatoes, And Cucumber Recipe

Ingredients

For The Filling

• 1 1/2 cups of Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup of finely grated feta cheese
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon of finely minced fresh mint
• 1 tablespoon of fresh juice from 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon of minced garlic (about 1 medium clove)
• 1 tablespoon of finely minced fresh oregano
• 1 teaspoon of finely minced fresh dill

For The Eggplant Rolls

• 3 Roma tomatoes stemmed, cored, and cut into 1/4-inch dice
• 2 large eggplants, ends trimmed and cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices
• 1 English cucumber, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch dice
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Procedure

For The Filling

1. Whisk the yogurt, feta, lemon juice, oregano, mint, dill, and garlic in a medium bowl.
2. Season with salt and pepper.

For The Eggplant Rolls

1. Set the cooking grate in place, cover the grill, and allow to preheat for 5 minutes.
2. Clean and oil the grilling grate. Brush the eggplant slices with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the eggplant until browned on both sides, 2-3 minutes per side.
3. Transfer to a large tray or cutting board and let it cool for 3-5 minutes.
4. Spread a layer of filling over each eggplant slice and top each with a single layer of tomatoes and cucumber.
5. Roll the eggplant slices into spirals and serve.

Apart from these recipes, there are other ways to eat eggplants.

Ways To Eat Eggplant

• Oven-baked Eggplant Fries : Slice the eggplant into strips or wedges, add a breadcrumb spiced coating, and then bake them for a crunchy taste.
• Eggplant Pizza Crust : Replace pizza crust with sliced eggplant and add tomato sauce, cheese, and other toppings for a gluten-free, low-calorie treat.
• Eggplant Pasta Topping : Cut the eggplant into thick slices, then bake or sauté them and add the strips to a pasta dish. Top the slices with Parmesan cheese to make eggplant Parmesan. Although most of us think of the grilled eggplants when it comes to Italian cuisine, a Sicilian pasta dish called Pasta Alla Norma is made with eggplants.
• In Curries : The fleshy eggplants are a great addition to almost any curry, making it far more delicious. You can dice up the eggplant and add it to a chicken or fish curry. It also is ideal for a vegetable curry.
• Burger Garnish : Cut the eggplant lengthwise into thick slices and grill them. Serve them alone or in a burger.
• Roast : This is one of the easiest and delicious ways to cook eggplant. All that is required is a hot oven, a few drops of olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper to transform the eggplant into a rich, soft, and creamy treat.

Though eggplants are delicious vegetables with an important nutritional profile, you need to practice caution. They may cause adverse effects in some individuals.

Are There Any Risks?

Eggplants have a few risk factors associated with them. Excess consumption of eggplant may lead to side effects, such as allergies, solanine poisoning, and oxalate kidney stones.

• May Cause Allergies

Eggplants belong to the nightshade family of vegetables that are associated with allergic reactions.

In very rare cases, they may cause allergic reactions in some people due to a specific lipid transfer protein (23). The symptoms include difficulty in breathing, swelling, and hives. In rare cases, eggplant may also cause anaphylaxis (a hypersensitive condition). If you experience any allergic reactions, stop eating eggplant and consult a doctor.

Insufficient Information For

• May Disrupt Iron Absorption

Nasunin is an anthocyanin in eggplant peels that binds with iron and removes it from cells. In other words, it chelates iron (24). It may reduce iron absorption. Though more research is warranted in this regard, it is better if people with low iron levels avoid eggplants.

• May Cause Solanine Poisoning

Solanine is the natural toxin found in eggplants. Excess intake of eggplants may cause vomiting, nausea, and drowsiness (25).

Consuming eggplants in low-to-moderate levels may not cause any harm. However, consult a health care professional in case of any emergency.

• May Increase Risk Of Kidney Stones

Eggplants contain oxalates, which may increase the risk of kidney stones in some people. However, there is insufficient data available. If you have a risk of kidney stones, stop use and consult your doctor.

Conclusion

Eggplants are rich in several essential nutrients with many potential health benefits. They may help promote heart health, control blood sugar levels, help reduce cancer risk and aid weight loss.

Adding eggplant to your daily diet is a healthy idea. However, a few risks are associated with the consumption of this vegetable. Consult a doctor in case you experience any adverse effects.

Expert’s Answers for Readers Questions

Is eggplant a superfood?

Eggplant is considered a superfood because of its high nutritious value. This high-fiber and low-calorie vegetable contains all essential nutrients and minerals and is used to treat many ailments. It is an ideal addition to your daily diet.

Should eggplant be peeled?

A young and tender eggplant does not have to be peeled. If the vegetable is more mature, however, you can peel it to avoid its bitter taste.

Is it OK to eat eggplant every day?

You may eat eggplant every day. It is said to possess many nutrients and has several potential health benefits. However, individuals with a sensitive stomach should avoid taking it daily.

Can you drink eggplant water?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that drinking eggplant water has many health benefits. It may possess anti-inflammatory and laxative properties. Eggplant water may help detoxify the body and improve blood flow. However, limited research is available to support this claim.

Should I refrigerate eggplant?

Yes, you should refrigerate eggplant. This vegetable cannot stay fresh if stored for long periods at room temperature. If you don’t want to eat eggplants within 2 days, store them in the refrigerator.

Is fried eggplant good for you?

Eggplant is low in calories. But deep-fried eggplant can contain more oil and may not be as healthy.

Is eggplant good for an ulcer?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that eggplant is good for ulcers. However, very little information is available in this aspect.

Is pickled eggplant good for you?

Pickled eggplant has low cholesterol and saturated fat. Hence, it is considered good for health. However, high sodium levels in pickled eggplant may be bad for health.

How many calories are in a cup of cooked eggplant?

One cup of cooked eggplant (101 g) provides 73.7 kcal of energy (26).

26 sources

Stylecraze heeft strikte inkooprichtlijnen en vertrouwt op collegiaal getoetste studies, academische onderzoeksinstellingen en medische verenigingen. We vermijden het gebruik van tertiaire verwijzingen. U kunt meer lezen over hoe we ervoor zorgen dat onze inhoud nauwkeurig en actueel is door ons redactionele beleid te lezen.

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