The eggplant, with its origins in India, is part of the nightshade family along with potatoes, tomatoes and peppers. Eggplants have high levels of B vitamins and other essential vitamins and minerals, which help fight against health problems such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and depression.
Vitamins
Eggplant contains several B vitamins, such as vitamin B-9, or folate. Vitamin B-9 helps turn food carbohydrates into glucose so your body has an available energy source. One cup of raw, cubed eggplant contains 18 mcg of folate, according to the Institute of Medicine. The same cup contains 0.32 mg of vitamin B-1, or 2 percent recommended daily intake, 0.53 mg of vitamin B-3, almost 3 percent daily intake and nearly five percent of vitamin B-6, or 0.07 mg, according to the IOM.
Eggplant also contains vitamin B-1 that helps keep your skin, eyes, liver and hair healthy. Niacin, or B-3, plays a role in making sex and stress-related hormones. Vitamin B-6 helps make nerve transmitters and helps promote a healthy heart.
Minerals
Eggplant contains potassium, copper, manganese and magnesium. One cup of raw eggplant contains 189 mg, or 4 percent recommended daily intake of potassium, 0.07 mg of copper, or 3 percent daily intake, 0.20 mg manganese, or nearly 9 percent recommended daily intake and 11 mg of magnesium, or 3 percent recommended daily intake, based on the IOM tables. Potassium promotes healthy heart function and helps maintain a normal blood pressure, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Copper helps produce collagen, which is needed to healing wounds. Manganese also fights against free radicals that could lead to chronic diseases. Magnesium helps maintain normal nerve function, according to The University of Maryland Medical Center.
Dietary Fiber
Eggplant is a good source of dietary fiber, with one cup supplying your body with 2.8 g. The daily requirement for dietary fiber is 14 g for every 1,000 calories you consume, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dietary fiber helps relieve constipation, lowers cholesterol and keeps blood sugar at an acceptable level.
Fat and Cholesterol Content
Eggplant has very little total fat content. One cup contains 0.16 g of fat or 0 percent, and zero cholesterol, based on a 2,000-calorie diet, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Limiting daily fat and cholesterol intake by eating healthy foods helps your heart and liver stay healthy.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin B 9: Folic Acid
- Institute of Medicine: Dietary Reference Intakes
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: National Nutrient Database: Eggplant, Raw
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin B 1: Thiamine
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Vitamin B 3: Niacin
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Potassium
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