The aubergine
The aubergine (or eggplant) is a vegetable that belongs to the Solanaceae family, whose scientific name is Solanum melongena, with its characteristic purple colour (with varying intensity) due to the presence of anthocyanins; it is a typical summer vegetable, depurative, low in calories and rich in fibre. It was already in use 4000 years ago, and in traditional Chinese medicine, all parts of the plant were used to stop intestinal bleeding! As its family name suggests, the aubergine contains solanine, a toxic substance that can easily be removed by cooking, which is why this vegetable should under no circumstance be eaten raw!
It is extremely rich in WATER, MINERAL SALTS, especially potassium, phosphorus and calcium, and VITAMINS, especially vitamin C, group B vitamins (B1 and B6), vitamin E and folates (very important in pregnancy and breastfeeding). IT CONTAINS NO FATS and being a vegetable, it has a fair amount of vegetable proteins but above all soluble (pectin) and insoluble FIBRES. The aubergine contains valuable PIGMENTS such as anthocyanins, which have strong antioxidant properties, and beta-carotene. Thanks to its high content in bioactive compounds, particularly POLYPHENOLS such as chlorogenic acid, which is found mainly in the pulp, and FLAVONOIDS such as nasunin, the aubergine is considered to be in the top 10 vegetables with the greatest antioxidant power! In addition to this property, the presence of these compounds also provides it with anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and antimicrobial properties.
It is extremely rich in WATER, MINERAL SALTS, especially potassium, phosphorus and calcium, and VITAMINS, especially vitamin C, group B vitamins (B1 and B6), vitamin E and folates (very important in pregnancy and breastfeeding). IT CONTAINS NO FATS and being a vegetable, it has a fair amount of vegetable proteins but above all soluble (pectin) and insoluble FIBRES. The aubergine contains valuable PIGMENTS such as anthocyanins, which have strong antioxidant properties, and beta-carotene. Thanks to its high content in bioactive compounds, particularly POLYPHENOLS such as chlorogenic acid, which is found mainly in the pulp, and FLAVONOIDS such as nasunin, the aubergine is considered to be in the top 10 vegetables with the greatest antioxidant power! In addition to this property, the presence of these compounds also provides it with anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and antimicrobial properties.
The functional benefits of the aubergine
Considered to be one of the vegetables with the greatest ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITIES, the consumption of aubergines can be useful in combating cell and tissue ageing, fighting inflammation and protecting the cardiovascular system, a function in which the presence of potassium also plays a part. It also has ANTI-HYPERTENSIVE PROPERTIES. Due to its water content and its high content of vitamins and minerals, the aubergine is regarded as highly DEPURATIVE and an excellent AID TO REHYDRATION AND THE RESTORATION OF MINERAL SALTS, since, especially in summer, we are more easily susceptible to sweating, with consequent loss of salts. The presence of fibre, as well as helping intestinal motility, aids digestion and stimulates the production of gastric juices that facilitate the absorption of nutrients in the intestine; fibre also counteracts HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA and DIABETES. Thanks to its fibre content, the aubergine also has HYPOGLYCAEMIC PROPERTIES, helping to reduce the absorption of starches and thus reducing the possibility of developing metabolic disorders. The presence of calcium also makes it a valuable food for BONE AND TEETH HEALTH. In order to benefit from the nutritional characteristics of this vegetable, it is important for it to be cooked, so that the solanine, which can cause digestive disorders, can be eliminated.
Key facts
10 features that make it supergreen!
IS RICH IN WATER and SOLUBLE AND INSOLUBLE FIBRES
IS RICH IN POTASSIUM PHOSPHORUS AND CALCIUM
IS LOW IN FATS AND CALORIES
IS RICH IN ANTIOXIDANTS
HELPS PURIFY THE BODY
FILLS YOU UP RAPIDLY TO HELP YOU STAY IN SHAPE
REGULATES GLYCAEMIA and CHOLESTEROL
HELPS TO REMINERALISE THE BODY
CONTRIBUTES TO THE HEALTH OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
CONTRIBUTES TO THE GROWTH OF HEALTHY TEETH AND BONES
IS RICH IN POTASSIUM PHOSPHORUS AND CALCIUM
IS LOW IN FATS AND CALORIES
IS RICH IN ANTIOXIDANTS
HELPS PURIFY THE BODY
FILLS YOU UP RAPIDLY TO HELP YOU STAY IN SHAPE
REGULATES GLYCAEMIA and CHOLESTEROL
HELPS TO REMINERALISE THE BODY
CONTRIBUTES TO THE HEALTH OF THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
CONTRIBUTES TO THE GROWTH OF HEALTHY TEETH AND BONES