Philipine Eggplant

Not only is it a food that adds color to meals, but Eggplant is also popular because they have many healthy properties. This fruit is rich in fiber, vitamin B6, thiamine, and other minerals. Surely you will be surprised to know the great benefits of eating eggplant regularly. Keep reading to learn more about it. 

1/ Some Facts About Eggplant – Philipine Eggplant

Eggplant is a member of the solanaceae family commonly grown in the Philippines. It is one of the main vegetables providing a good source of income for Filipino locals. This vegetable has a striking purple color that makes your meal more colorful. 

Eggplants in Japan and some Eastern countries are usually elongated and have thinner skin. Moreover, they have a sweet taste, tender and thick flesh similar to those of Chinese and Japanese eggplants.

Philippine Eggplant has a long, cylindrical and slightly curved body. Their outer shell is very smooth, glossy and has a beautiful purple color. The inner flesh is white, their seeds are edible. Eggplant fruit is oblong in shape, glossy skin, light purple to dark purple in color. On average, the length of the fruit ranges from 15 to 23 cm, the diameter is from 4 to 5 cm or more.  

When cooked, eggplant is mildly sweet, soft and easy to eat. You can stir-fry with meat, shrimp, garlic, all very delicious. Eggplant has high nutritional content, a high ability to absorb flavor into meat, so it brings delicious dishes for daily meals.

2/ Nutrition Of Eggplant – Philipine Eggplant

Eggplant is a high nutritional value food with a lot of health benefits. It is very good for patients with rectal cancer because eggplant contains a large amount of fiber, which has the ability to absorb toxins and harmful chemicals.

Besides, eggplant is also a rich source of water and potassium to help the heart develop well. Magnesium, calcium, vitamin A and vitamin C in eggplant also help strengthen the immune system and prevent insomnia. According to nutrition experts, eggplant has less than 92% water, 5.5% glucid, 1.3% protid and 0.2% lipid. 

Specifically, 100 grams of eggplant contains:

• 220 grams Potassium
• 15g phosphorus 15
• 12g magnesium 12
• 10g calcium 10
• 15 grams of sulfur 15,
• 0.5 grams of iron
• 0.2g manganese 0.2
• 0.2 grams of zinc
• 0.1g copper
• 0.002 grams of iodine.
• Some beneficial vitamins such as vitamin B1, B12.

3/ Benefits Of Eggplant – Philipine Eggplant 

With great sources of nutrients, eggplant is a food that you should add to your daily meal, they bring many benefits to health, skin and physique.

Eggplant is good for heart health

Eggplant contains a large amount of potassium, which has the function of stabilizing the heart rate. Besides, flavonoids in eggplant also help reduce bad cholesterol, increase good cholesterol, thereby preventing cardiovascular diseases, and building a healthy heart.

Rich in antioxidants

Eggplant is also a great food to help the body fight free radicals, protect cells from damage from the outside environment. In addition, eggplant also helps eliminate toxins from the body, slows down the aging process of cells, thereby helping the body to be healthier, limiting disease.

Preventing cancers

Polyphenols present in eggplant have the ability to protect the body from the risk of cancer. Anthocyanins and chlorogenic acids help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. This can stop the growth of tumors and limit the spread of cancer cells.    

Stabilize blood sugar

As mentioned above, eggplant is a vegetable that contains a lot of fiber, which will help stabilize blood cholesterol levels. According to research, 1 cup of cooked eggplant (about 96 grams) contains about 2.4 grams of fiber. Eating eggplant regularly is a very natural way to slow down the conversion of carbohydrates into glucose. This has been shown to stabilize blood sugar levels, thereby preventing the risk of a sudden spike in blood sugar after eating.

Improve memory

Phyto in eggplant is also studied to be very good for brain health, they help enhance cognitive ability, increase blood flow to the brain, thereby improving brain health.

Support weight loss

Those who want to lose weight should eat eggplant more often. Because eggplant contains a large amount of soluble fiber, which is very good for the digestive system. Besides, eggplant contains up to 92% water, so it helps you stay full longer, control calorie intake and help you lose weight effectively.

Enhance bone health

Phenolic in eggplant has been proven by experts to help strengthen bones. In addition, the rich amount of iron and calcium in eggplant also helps maintain bone strength.

Reduce hair loss

Vitamin B3 is an ingredient that has the ability to stimulate hair growth, strengthen hair and reduce breakage. Besides, vitamin A in eggplant also helps maintain moisture in the hair.

Prevent anemia

The cause of anemia is iron deficiency. Meanwhile, eggplant is rich in iron which helps you reduce the risk of anemia. They also help stimulate the development of red blood cells because they help metabolize proteins.

Good for eyesight

Anthocyanin is a soluble compound found in eggplant. They are very good for the central nervous system, so they help prevent the risk of cataracts, help keep the eyes healthy.

4/ How To Choose And Storage Eggplant?

The eggplant harvest season is from August to October, but you can buy good eggplant year-round. However, to choose a delicious fruit, you should choose a fruit with smooth skin that feels heavy when holding.

Do not buy fruits that are crushed, have uneven colors and have bruises. To check, you can use your finger to press on the peel. If the outer shell has good elasticity, it is a natural ripe eggplant. If the skin is dented, do not buy it.

In terms of storage, eggplant is a very sensitive food to both hot and cold temperatures. Therefore, you should store them at an ideal temperature of about 10 degrees Celsius.

Besides, to keep the fruit fresh for a long time, you should leave the fruit whole, not cut it. Because if cut, the meat inside will be very easily damaged. Another note is that you should not use food wrap and do not wash eggplants when storing them in the refrigerator.

Eggplant – Philippines Eggplant is a nutritious food that you should not miss. Come to Long Produce to buy the freshest produce!