The African eggplant, or aubergine, commonly known as garden egg, is an edible vegetable or fruit. Garden eggs belong to the family Solanaceae, a.k.a. the nightshade family, which also includes tomatoes, potatoes, and chili peppers.
There are different species of garden eggs. Some species are elongated and round, such as the Solanum melongena, while others can be egg-shaped, like the Solanum aethiopicum and Solanum ovigerum. They also come in different colors, such as purple, white, pale yellow, and green, and are common in Southern and Eastern Asia, Africa, and India.
Garden egg is a fruit eaten for its many health benefits. When washed properly, the fruit can be consumed in its raw form, used as a vegetable, or used as a flavoring agent in certain local cuisines.
Health benefits of garden eggs include:
1. Anti-ulcer properties
In 2011, research was carried out on rats to determine the effects of garden eggs on experimentally induced ulcers. The results came back positive, as the garden egg was reported to have ulcer-protective properties against the experimentally induced ulcers.
This indicates that garden eggs may be a good source of natural ulcer remedies. However, it should not be used in place of ulcer medications or a doctor’s advice.
2. May improve digestion
Dietary fibers are another healthy component of garden eggs. Dietary fibers are known to help improve digestion and gastric movement. People with indigestion and poor gastric movements may be asked to eat foods like garden eggs, which have high fiber content, to help improve their digestive conditions.
Dietary fibers can also be helpful for treating certain digestive tract conditions, like gastroesophageal reflux disease.
3. Potential anti-cancer properties
Amongst the pharmacological effects of garden egg is its suspected anti-cancer properties. Garden eggs are said to contain flavonoids and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). Flavonoids and ascorbic acid are important compounds that are considered to have anti-cancer effects.
4. Antioxidative properties
Another important health benefit of garden eggs is their antioxidative properties. Garden eggs contain phytochemicals like flavonoids and carotenoids, as well as ascorbic acid. These compounds are powerful natural antioxidants. Thus, they can help prevent oxidative stress by eliminating free radicals found in the bloodstream.
5. Blood pressure maintenance
Garden eggs are rich in nutrients like potassium. Potassium is vital for several cardiac functions. Increasing your potassium intake can help decrease your blood pressure if you have high blood pressure. It can also reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
6. May improve skin and hair condition
Eating garden eggs is a natural way of improving your skin’s condition. Garden eggs are packed with loads of vitamins, such as vitamins A and E.
Vitamin A contains retinoic acid, which helps reduce/protect your skin from wrinkles and dark spots, as well as repair hair follicle stem cells.
On the other hand, Vitamin E has antitumor and photoprotective properties that help protect your skin from the harsh effects of the environment and solar radiation.
7. Anti-inflammatory properties
Garden eggs also contain phytochemicals that may provide anti-inflammatory effects. Some of the phytochemicals in garden eggs are flavonoids like anthocyanin and polyphenols like chlorogenic acid.
These two compounds are known to have anti-inflammatory effects by protecting and preventing cellular damage caused by free radicals in the circulatory system.
8. Weight loss and a healthy diet
Garden eggs are considered nutritious fruits or vegetables due to their high composition of nutrients, carbohydrates, vitamins, and phytochemicals.
Since garden eggs are a low-calorie vegetable, individuals looking to shed some weight may want to consider adding them to their diet. Garden eggs could be eaten raw, dried, cooked, or chopped up into a salad or soup.
9. Anti-diabetic properties
The compounds contained in garden eggs may also have hypoglycemic properties for people with diabetes. When eaten, these compounds may help lower blood sugar, thereby inducing a hypoglycemic effect.
This doesn’t mean you should not take your diabetes medications if your doctor has prescribed you one. It only means you can include garden eggs as part of healthy meals for you, while other lifestyle and dietary management techniques for diabetes.
10. May improve eyesight
Consuming garden eggs may help improve eye health. Garden egg contains vitamin A, an important vitamin that helps regulate cell groups, maintain light sensitivity, and aid in the formation of rhodopsin. Rhodopsin is a light-sensitive pigment that is responsible for night vision
