Eggplant, or aubergine as it is called in France, belongs to the plant family of Solanaceae, also commonly known as nightshades, which includes tomatoes, sweet peppers and potatoes.
In addition to featuring a host of vitamins and minerals, eggplant contains phytonutrients, which have antioxidant property.
Moreover, the anthocyanin phytonutrient found in eggplant skin which is called nasunin can protect cell membranes from damage.
Nasunin not only is a potent free-radical scavenger, but is also an iron chelator. Although iron is an essential nutrient and is necessary for oxygen transport, normal immune function and collagen synthesis, excess iron increases free radical production and is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and cancer.
By chelating iron, nasunin lessens free radical formation with numerous beneficial results, including protecting blood cholesterol from peroxidation; preventing cellular damage that can promote cancer; and lessening free radical damage in joints, which is a primary factor in rheumatoid arthritis.
Meanwhile, the phytonutrients contained in eggplant include phenolic compounds. The predominant phenolic compound found in eggplant is chlorogenic acid, which is one of the most potent free radical scavengers found in plant tissues. Benefits attributed to chlorogenic acid include antimutagenic (anti-cancer), antimicrobial, anti-LDL (bad cholesterol) and antiviral activities.
In addition to featuring a host of vitamins and minerals, eggplant contains phytonutrients, which have antioxidant property.
Moreover, the anthocyanin phytonutrient found in eggplant skin which is called nasunin can protect cell membranes from damage.
Nasunin not only is a potent free-radical scavenger, but is also an iron chelator. Although iron is an essential nutrient and is necessary for oxygen transport, normal immune function and collagen synthesis, excess iron increases free radical production and is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and cancer.
By chelating iron, nasunin lessens free radical formation with numerous beneficial results, including protecting blood cholesterol from peroxidation; preventing cellular damage that can promote cancer; and lessening free radical damage in joints, which is a primary factor in rheumatoid arthritis.
Meanwhile, the phytonutrients contained in eggplant include phenolic compounds. The predominant phenolic compound found in eggplant is chlorogenic acid, which is one of the most potent free radical scavengers found in plant tissues. Benefits attributed to chlorogenic acid include antimutagenic (anti-cancer), antimicrobial, anti-LDL (bad cholesterol) and antiviral activities.
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