It is over a decade I ate garden egg stew. Without doubts in my mind, it is one of the healthiest stews ever made for me by my grandmother. Garden egg otherwise known as eggplant fruit has somewhat lost its place in the diet of Nigerians especially the younger generation.
Grandma usually tells me that most times whatever is sweet to the mouth is poisonous to the stomach and whatever is bitter to the mouth provides a lot of advantages to our body. Clearly, this is the case for the lack of adequate patronage of this bitter-tasting fruit particularly among the younger generations who prefer chocolate candies and other sugar-coated products which are killing them slowly.
Solanum melongena as it is botanically called is widely distributed in the temperate and tropical regions. In many West African countries, the fruit is known as bitter tomato and it is specifically grown for food, nutritional and medicinal purposes.
The Health Benefits Of Garden Egg (Solanum melongena)
Each day in my email box, I keep getting messages concerning “how to lose some fats”. This continues to surprise me as many of the senders are hoping to hear me say to them of certain nutraceuticals they need to buy that will take 20 pounds of fats off their bodies within 5 days, whereas a potent food like garden egg does not only stare at them but is at there beck and call.
It is good for weight loss
Research carried out on laboratory rats or mice both home and abroad with this fruit has corroborated the fact that it has the capacity to make humans lose weight due to its high fiber content and low-calorie value. Without gainsaying, this is the perfect recipe for achieving weight loss within a reasonable short period of time. My advice is if you find the fruit difficult to chew in its natural form due to its bitter taste, you could make a sauce out of it. Trust me it tastes nice.
Helps to relieve constipation & manage HBP
The high fibre value has also been helpful in treating serious cases of constipation. Many constipated people who chew or include it into their diet are grateful to do so. See
Any time, any day, we can not speak enough on the need to prevent or manage high blood pressure (HBP) since the condition is fast becoming the main killer of men. With garden eggs loaded with potassium; an important electrolyte that is critical in maintaining body functions and regulating blood pressure, there is hope that cases of hypertension could be well managed and prevented.
Abundant in Important Vitamins and Minerals
Asides containing a high amount of potassium and dietary fibre, garden egg is a very good source of manganese, iron, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus. vitamin B6, folic acid, vitaminC, E and K among others. Phytonutrients such as nasunin, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids,saponins, and chlorogenic acid are also present in notable quantities. Surely, those who avoid this fruit are missing quite a lot.
It should also be noted that thorough chewing of eggplants provides an opportunity for more of its nutrients to be released. The nutritional benefits of Garden eggs are numerous and cannot be totally enumerated. It has also been reported according to research carried out among the Igbos to be effective in improving sight defects.
Garden eggs are gradually crippling into the market, get prepared for a healing bite. If you do not like to eat them, watch out for a short and concise post on how to make a sauce out of the plant. So enjoyable with slices of yam.
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