Health With Brinjal

Brinjal is one vegetable that cannot miss your attention in the vegetable market. They are found in vibrant purple colour or the subtle green or white and in various sizes from very big to very small, round and long. We cannot find any other vegetable with such variations in sizes and colours. Each variety has a speciality for a specific type of cooking. Moreover it is the fastest cooking vegetable. Apart from its mouth-watering recipes they have some unbelievable health benefits.

■             They are very low in calories and contain carbohydrates, dietary fibre, vitamins B, C, and K minerals zinc, potassium, calcium, iron and magnesium.

■             The antioxidants that are in brinjal help prevent the growth of cancer cells by restricting the free radical damage. A particular anti- oxidant found in brinjal help prevent skin cancer.

■             The anti oxidants that are present in brinjal reduce the level of bad cholesterol. The

elasticity of artery walls remains flexible and increase blood flow.

■             The fibre content in brinjal helps in absorbing the cholesterol and restricts from getting ingested into the body. The phyto-nutrients and anti-oxidants help protect the brain cells from free radicals.

■             Fibre in brinjal prevents constipation and helps in smooth bowel movement.

■             Brinjals have various nutrients that are potential source for skin health. The content of vitamin C, anti-oxidants and minerals help in protecting the skin. Anti-oxidants fight against free radicals that cause wrinkles and premature aging. Vitamin C and water in brinjal make the skin supple and shine.

■             The skin of brinjal contains a good amount of anthocyanins. These anti oxidants act as anti aging agents.

■             One can control diabetes by eating brinjals as they are high in fibre and low soluble carbohydrates which help regulate blood sugar levels in the body.

■             Vitamin K and bioflavonoid help in preventing blood clots.

■             Eating baked brinjal with honey in the evening gives you sound sleep. Regular consumption may cure insomnia.

■             Eating baked brinjal with sugar in the morning helps to cure enlarged spleen.

■             Brinjal maintains the required level of Iron in the body with the help of nasunin present in them. It removes the excess iron present in the body and brings down the risk of getting heart attack.

■             It has anti-bacterial and anti viral properties. If you bake the brinjal on coal it releases good aroma and tastes good. The water that is oozed out of this brinjal can be applied on skin inflammation and swelling on legs. On regular usage the swelling goes off.

■             Cut brinjals should be kept in water as they change colour as well as taste if left in open for long time.

■             Brinjal is a good source of minerals like manganese, copper, iron and potassium. Potassium is an important intracellular electrolyte that helps counter the hypertension effects of sodium.

■             If baked brinjal is mashed and taken with asafoetida and garlic cures flatulence.

■             Eating roasted brinjal with salt sprinkled on it gives relief from phlegm.

■             Applying brinjal juice on foot and palm reduces the excessive sweat.