Summer is time for Eggplant or Aubergines, and you can use its benefits to get back in shape.
This vegetable cures kidneys, blood vessels and heart, very rich in water and detox fibres, with a very low calorie content it is a very precious ally for our summers.
It arrived in Spain from Arabic countries a very long time ago, at first it was considered harmful due to the content of solanine but a few centuries later, Pellegrino Artusi reveals its properties and uses in the kitchen.
Very often we associate it to dishes with high calorie and fat content but actually the eggplant is dietetic and most of all draining and very beneficial:
- PURIFYING: It is ideal for purifying since it is very rich in water and poor in fat, sugar and protein. Also thanks to its vitamin C content it promotes blood and lipid flow avoiding any blockage. With only 18 calories per 100g. Furthermore its skin is rich in insoluble fibre, that protects our bowel from constipation and swelling. The fibres also have the ability to regulate the absorption of sugar and fat in our bowel and reduce appetite increasing the satiety feeling.
- HELPS AGAINST CHOLESTEROL: Besides fibre eggplant also contains a good percentage of potassium, useful to prevent high blood pressure, swelling and muscle cramps, it also has chlorogenic acid (the same one found in green coffee) which has diuretic, anti-cholesterol and anti-bacterial effects.
- IMPROVES BRAIN ABILITY: The purple colour is due to the anthocyanins, which have an elevated antioxidant power, infact they are very precious molecules that protect the organism from ageing, capillary fragility and oxidative damage. Amongst the anthocyanins we highlight NASUNIN, which protects the brain cells from free radicals and protects the organism from inflammation, heart disease and cognitive decline.
- DETOXIFIES OUR LIVER: Eggplant contains bitter substances similar to those found in artichokes, which stimulate the production of bile from the liver and improve the hepatic functions, reducing also the so called “bad” cholesterol “LDL”.
CURIOSITY ON EGGPLANT
In medieval times it was considered a very negative vegetable, many doctors infact attributed it with malefic properties; they believed that it could cause seizures and even insanity. In the 8th century instead it obtained the fame of an aphrodisiac food whos properties were enhanced if prepared with other erotic foods such as garlic, onions, peppers and numerous spices.
VARIETIES AND BENEFITS BY COLOUR
Different varieties of eggplant exist and in different colours too and for each colour the are different properties:
–PURPLE (rich in anthocyanins) there are various types like the classic Italian Purple-Black and the Graffiti.
–WHITE (very precious for our liver, it has properties similar to the ones of the artichoke useful for purifying the liver), it has a very firm pulp and with little seeds, it is thought that it originates from Turkey.
–RED DOP (this is the antiage eggplant, rich in antioxidants useful against premature ageing and “bad” cholesterol) it is grown in Rotonda in the province of Potenza in the region of Basilicata, it has the appearance of a tomato.
EGGPLANT DETOX WATER
The so called eggplant detox water is considered the miracle water, because it gives us energy and helps drain the liquids in excess.
Pour into a pot 1 litre of water together with 1 sliced eggplant and 1 lemon’s juice, boil for approximately 15 minutes, filter and pour into a jug, refrigerate. Drink it various times during the day.
Take a look at our tried and tested method: Anti-Diet
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