Eggplant: Health Benefits and How-To

In anticipation of warmer days ahead, we take a look at one of the most popular fruits associated with summer: eggplant. Yes, eggplant is in fact a fruit, from the plant Solanum melongena. It belongs to the same family (Solanaceae) as potatoes, peppers, and tomatoes. While many of us think of eggplants as having deep purple skin, they actually come in many colors and shapes. The plant likes heat and plenty of sun in order to grow and flourish.

Nutrition Tidbits for Eggplant

• 1 cup of raw eggplant cubes contains:
  • Calories: 20 kcal
  • Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 4.7 g
  • Protein: 0.8 g
  • Fiber: 2.8  g
  • Glycemic Index (GI): Low

Eggplant is a super low-calorie vehicle for powerful antioxidants. In particular, eggplant skin contains a powerful anthocyanin called nasunin, a super antioxidant that protects cell membranes from oxidative damage. There are also additional antioxidants called phenolic acids contained within eggplant, particularly chlorogenic acid, which has been shown to have anti-cancer, anti-microbial, and anti-LDL (bad) cholesterol properties. The phenolic acids are responsible for the slightly bitter taste of raw eggplant; to reduce this bitterness, sprinkle salt over cut surfaces and let the eggplant slices sit to “sweat” for 30 minutes. Rinse off the salt with water afterwards and pat the slices dry before further preparation.

Eggplant has a meaty, luscious, earthy quality when cooked. Roasted eggplant can be fairly low in calories as long as you are careful with the amount of oil you use. Instead of deep-frying, cut eggplants lengthwise (or into coins, if you prefer) and drizzle two tablespoons of oil over the cut surface before roasting.

Eggplant is actually quite fragile; handle it with care to avoid bruising and use it within a couple of days after purchase. When buying, look for plump, heavy, firm fruits with fully intact skin and a bright green cap and stem. Avoid any with soft, browning, or wet patches. If the eggplant you buy comes wrapped in plastic, remove this wrapping before putting it in the fridge. Do not cut eggplant until you are actually ready to cook because it will deteriorate very quickly.

Ways to Include More Eggplant in Your Diet

• Add chopped eggplant to soups, stews, and stir-fry dishes
• Roast eggplant halves in the oven for 15-20 minutes and serve as a side dish
• Scoop out cooked eggplant flesh and make baba ghanoush – the eggplant version of hummus
• Eggplant slices can become low-carb replacements for burger buns, lasagna noodle sheets, or tortilla shells

Sofia Layarda, MPH

Alumni: University of California, Berkeley – Sofia believes in bringing back fun and pleasure into everyday eating. She loves cooking, and is constantly experimenting with ingredients, creating recipes and trying them out on family and friends. Her latest interest lies in finding realistic and practical ways of environmentally-friendly food/eating habits.