Garden egg; More Than Just a Fruit

Garden egg or Eggplant is an economic flowering plant. Garden eggs are found throughout Nigeria and cultivated domestically.

Garden egg is a highly valued delicacy in Nigerian society such that its importance cannot be overemphasized to consumers and farmers alike.

It represents fertility and blessing that why it’s common to find it served during wedding ceremonies in some communities.

The garden eggplant apart from being a source of vegetable also has numerous health benefits which are essential for the overall development of the human body. Its acceptability cuts across religious, tribal, cultural and ethnic groups in Nigeria, hence the wide usage of the garden eggplant.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF GARDEN EGG

Reduces cholesterol

Garden egg is low in calorie, sodium, protein and is very high in dietary fibre and potassium. The high fibre content in eggplant helps to reduce bad cholesterol in the body, thereby protecting the heart.

For weight reduction, garden egg is the perfect recipe for achieving weight loss within a short period of time because it is very low in calorie content.

This is why experts encourage people who want to lose weight to eat more garden egg, just as people that are told to protect their heart against cholesterol effects should make it their delight.

Regulates blood pressure

Garden egg helps to regulate the blood pressure, maintain and regulate the function of the heart.

It controls glucose absorption and reduces the risk of hypertension which is why when a diabetic person consumes it, it suppresses the sugar level and brings the blood pressure down.

Anti-ulcer agent

Garden eggs have anti-ulcer remedy, which could be used as treatment for ulcer {they do not protect one from having ulcer but that the anti-ulcer content in the fruit suppresses the ailment}.

Lowers eye pressure

Eating plenty of garden egg can help lower eye pressure in persons with glaucoma.

Rich in vitamins

Garden egg fruit is beneficial and nourishing to the body because it is rich in vitamin which provides the body with both soluble vitamin and water soluble vitamins; they are rich in thiamine required for normal growth and proper functioning of the heart and nervous system and niacin needed for cellular respiration.

Fights cancer

Garden egg is one of the anti-cancer fruits which has been used for over decades, to fight against cancer and other diseases.

Other health benefits of garden egg are;

• flexibility of blood vessels

• Cardio protective

• Natural source of B vitamins like thiamin, niacin, B6 and pantothenic acid

• Improves digestive system

• Good for skin and hair

• High in folate, manganese, Vitamin k, magnesium, vitamin c & copper

• A source of nasunin ( a powerful and rare antioxidant for the brain

• Bone strengthening minerals

• Improves blood circulation

• Beneficial for constipation due to high fibre

• Good for colon health

• Good amount of phenolic acid, anthocyanins and flavonoids these antioxidants help protect the body from health risks, like aging, inflammations, and neurological diseases

Garden eggs are eaten in different forms. While some people eat it raw, some eat it cooked (in the form of sauce) while others make salad from it.

The forms of eating the garden egg seems endless in our Nigerian society.

Eat lots of garden egg and remain healthy.