Nutrients
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends a minimum of 2
½ cups of vegetables per day for most adults. One cup of diced eggplant counts
toward this recommendation. In this cup, you get 9 g of carbohydrates, the
body's primary source of fuel. It also provides 2 percent of the recommended
dietary allowance of vitamin C and 1 percent of vitamin A, calcium and iron,
based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Eggplant contains 4 percent of the RDA for
vitamin K, which helps with blood clotting. It also provides 6 percent of the
RDA for manganese, which acts as an antioxidant to help with wound healing and
bone health.Fiber
Eggplants provide 2 g of fiber per cup. The Institute of
Medicine recommends most adult women consume 25 g of fiber daily and men 38 g.
Fiber helps with digestion and colon health.
Weight-Control Potential
Eggplant is low in calories, with just 35 per cup. It
contains no fat and its high fiber content can help you feel full. Using
eggplant in lieu of higher-calorie pastas or rice in casseroles or side dishes
can help you eat fewer calories while still enjoying satisfying portions.
Antioxidants
Along with manganese, eggplant skin contains the antioxidant
nasunin. A study in the journal "Toxicology" published in August 2000
found that nasunin from eggplants helped prevent cellular damage in the brains
of rats. Eggplants also are high in a chlorogenic acid, a powerful antioxidant
offering antimicrobial and antiviral activities along with the ability to help lower
bad cholesterol levels.
So now that you know why eggplant is so good for you, why don't you try some. We suggest trying it grilled or broiled, but not as Eggplant Parmesan because that can have almost as many calories and fat as its chicken counterpart!
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