From Superfood to Medicine: The Incredible Health Benefits of Eggplants

Research suggests that this nutritious fruit can do everything from help us lose weight to combat cancer

The bright-purple color of eggplant comes from flavonoid glycosides or antioxidants that are useful in combating dementia. Shutterstock

The spongy eggplant is classified as a berry or fruit but is typically used as a vegetable in dishes around the world. For centuries, people have relied upon this food for its nutritional and medicinal value.

An encyclopedia of traditional Chinese medicine from China’s Ming Dynasty, the “Compendium of Materia Medica,” claims that the eggplant uniquely treats fever accompanied with chills, enhances blood circulation, relieves pain, reduces swelling, and broadens the intestines (to prevent constipation).

Modern nutritionists say eggplant is a superfood because it’s low in calories and sodium and is rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Every 100 grams of eggplant contains:

• 25 calories
• 5.3 grams of carbohydrates
• 2.7 grams of dietary fiber
• 221 milligrams of potassium
• 16 milligrams of calcium
• 29 milligrams of phosphorus
• 15 milligrams of magnesium

It also contains vitamin B, vitamin C, and “vitamin P“—plant compounds called flavonoids. Eggplant contains citrin, rutin, hesperidin, flavones, and flavonals.

Dr. Yalan Tsai of Taiwan’s Taichung Veterans General Hospital listed the following benefits of eating eggplant to The Epoch Times.

Rich in Antioxidants and Helps Prevent Dementia

The bright-purple color of eggplant comes from flavonoid glycosides, antioxidants that are useful in combating dementia. These help protect brain cells and prevent age-related memory loss and cognitive degeneration.

A study published in the Journal of Food Biochemistry found that a diet supplemented with eggplant modulates the activities of the enzymes in purinergic, monoaminergic, and cholinergic enzyme systems associated with Alzheimer’s disease-like symptoms. The authors concluded that “eggplant fruits could serve as a holistic measure in the prevention of diabetes-related complications such as neurodegenerative disease.”

Prevents Macular Lesions in Eyes

Eggplant is rich in lutein, a deep-yellow pigment found in plants and egg yolk that has anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to inhibit free radicals and prevent macular lesions. It also reduces the harmful effects of blue light on the eyes caused by the sun, fluorescent lighting, and LED devices.

A study published in Nutrients found that Solanum melongena L. (EPX), an extract of eggplant, “protected A2E-laden ARPE-19 cells against blue light-induced cell death via attenuating reactive oxygen species.” According to the study authors, “EPX administration in BALB/c mice reduced the fundus damage and degeneration of the retinal layer in a blue light-induced retinal damage model.”

Helps to Lose Weight and Prevent Diabetes

Since eggplant is low in calories and high in nutrients and fiber, it’s an excellent aid for weight loss. The fiber contained in eggplant helps slow digestion and adds a sense of satiety, which reduces overall caloric intake.

A review paper published in the Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences showed that eggplant can control diabetes through its antioxidative properties and inhibition of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase activity. Also, eggplant may show protective effects on hyperlipidemia and obesity via the induction of lipoprotein lipase activity and the reduction of pancreatic lipase activity. Eggplant can also be used to treat metabolic syndrome and its complications.

Beneficial in Fighting Inflammation and Cancer

Eggplant contains a compound called solasodine rhamnosyl glycosides (SRGs). Some animal studies have shown that SRGs can kill cancer cells and reduce the recurrence of certain types of cancer. In addition, anthocyanins in eggplant can inhibit tumor angiogenesis, reduce inflammation, and inhibit the enzymes that spread cancer cells.

A study published in Mutation Research mentioned that, in response to hydrogen peroxide, cells treated with six eggplant extracts prevented DNA human lymphocytes. The study authors concluded that eggplants have the potential to provide health benefits associated with prevention or reduced risk of developing chronic diseases, such as cancer.

Precautions About Eggplant

Despite the benefits of eating eggplant, Chinese medical doctors have also cautioned against eating too much because doing so could potentially be detrimental for some people.

For insight into this opposing view, The Epoch Times spoke with Dr. Zhen Lixue, the director of Japan’s Heisei Acupuncture Therapy Center in Okayama. He said that while eggplant is beneficial to the body, it should be eaten in moderation.

Zhen said the focus of traditional Chinese medicine is to keep the body in balance. For example, eggplant is a food with cool nature and is ideal for consumption during warm months to help cool the body and relieve the summer heat. Eggplant is especially good for people with constipation, bleeding hemorrhoids, and damp fever and those who are prone to heat rash and boils.

According to Zhen, “Chinese medicine views women as yin in nature, and tend to have cold constitutions, so they should not eat foods of cool nature regularly.”

“People who have a weak spleen and stomach, and are prone to diarrhea and loose stools, should also watch how much eggplant they eat,” he added. Zhen warned that eating eggplant before surgery isn’t a good idea since doing so may affect the speed of recovery.

A second medical encyclopedia from China’s Ming Dynasty, the “Dian Nan Ben Cao,” contains much the same precautions about the eggplant as Li Shizhen’s in “Compendium of Materia Medica.” While this inherently cold food is beneficial to the body, eating too much has the potential of “causing chronic diseases, sores and scabies, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, and may also be harmful to a woman’s uterus.”

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