Health Benefits of Eggplant and Fenugreek Seeds

Eggplant also known as brinjal or bengan is a member of nightshade family just like tomato. But it highly varies in taste, color and texture. It is available in many colors according to its variants ranging from deep purple, lavender purple, green or white. All the variants of eggplants are loaded with vitamins and minerals, but its health benefits extend beyond just adding vital nutrients to a meal. Eggplant contains other compounds that promote good health as well, even to the point of helping to prevent cancer and lowering cholesterol.

Benefits of eggplant are:

• It is high in fiber which makes it good for people with digestive ailments. It is even suggested in diet for people suffering from peptic ulcer.

• Eggplants are rich in Chlorogenic acid which is a plant compound that is known for its high antioxidant activity. Chlorogenic acid has a great capacity to fight free radicals, and is also able to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. Chlorogenic acid is also antimutagenic, which means it can protect cells from mutating into cancer cells; and it is also antiviral.

• The vitamins in eggplant consist primarily of vitami
A (in the form of beta-carotene), B vitamins, folate and vitami
C.

• Eggplant is also rich in minerals, boasting a large quantity of potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorous.

• Eggplant skin is rich in nasunin. Nasunin is a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger that has been shown to protect cell membranes from damage.

• Eggplants contain no fat and its high fiber content which makes it suitable for people who wants to shed some kilos.

• Phenolic-enriched extracts of eggplant inhibit enzymes that provide a strong biochemical basis for management of type-2 diabetes by controlling glucose absorption and reducing associated high blood pressure (hypertension).

Anaemia, pregnancy, lactation, digestion, loss of taste, fever, hair care, dandruff, stomach disorders, biliousness, respiratory disorders, mouth ulcers, sore throat, diabetes, inflammations, wounds and insomnia the list of the ailments fenugreek can cure is innumerable. Most of these benefits of fenugreek are due to the presence of saponins and fibre in it.

• Fenugreek is known to possess hypoglycemic properties, making it an effective remedy for lowering blood sugar, thereby helping to treat conditions such as diabetes. Because of the presence of the natural fibre galactomannan, fenugreek slows down the rate at which sugar is absorbed into blood. The amino acid (4-hydroxyisoleucine) in Fenugreek induces the production of insulin and therefore, 15-20 grams of fenugreek daily is recommended for controlling blood sugar.

• Fenugreek helps in curing sore throat and cough.

• Fenugreek possesses anticarcinogenic potential. The steroid diosgenin in Fenugreek is colon cancer preventive.

• It is good for digestive system. Mucilage present in fenugreek, making it an effective treatment for gastrointestinal inflammation, as it is known to coat the stomach as well as intestinal lining.

• It also helps in relieving pain during menstruation period.