Health Benefits of Adding Eggfruits to Your Daily Food Intake

 What Are the Health Benefits of Adding Eggfruits to Your Daily Food Intake?

Used the Canva.com frame

This is my post for the letter E for the month-long A2Z writing challenge the letter D is here.

Eggplants, Brinjal, and aubergine are different names for the plant available globally.  Most commonly in purple, the spongy, absorbent fruit is used in various cousins. 

This post considers various aspects of eggplants and fruits.

• Origin and etymology of the plant name
• Did you know?
• A product of South Africa
• Health benefits
• Me and Eggplants 
• And lastly, my question

Origin of the Plant

There is no consensus regarding the place of origin of eggplants: the plant species are described as native to India, Africa, or South Asia.  The etymology of the plant is an indication of its history, species development and global spread.  

The name eggplant is commonly found in American and Australian English.  The Aubergine type names have come from its non-English, Arabic word- badinjan- borrowed from Dravidian Languages.  

The Arabic word was borrowed into romantic languages, then to Portuguese, Spanish and to British English, and colonialism brought it to the colonies. 

Did you know?

• It is a berry, not a fruit.
• Related to the tomato, chilli pepper and potato.
• Eat with skin that traps in all nutrients.
• Brinjal was considered poisonous belonging to the nightshade family associated with solanine. In 13th-century Italian folklore, it was a cause of insanity. 
• In Egypt in the 19th century, insanity was known to be more common and violent during the eggplant season in the summer.
• Because of the white, spongy flesh, eggfruits are considered meaty in vegetarian and vegan cuisines.

Product of South Africa

In South Africa, eggplant cultivation goes blooming in the tropical and subtropical seasons and is available in the markets throughout.  Egg fruit is popular in South African cuisine- grilled, stuffed, roasted, fried, used in soups, stews, curries and stir-fried. 

Health Benefits of Brinjal

Eggfruit is among the healthiest and is recommended by health practitioners for boosting overall health and well-being. 

• A cancer fighter. 

Polyphenols in eggplants have anticancer effects. 

• Contains Vitamins and minerals and helps during pregnancy; recommended that every pregnant woman needs to have it in her daily foods.
• Helps with weight reduction; lifestyle experts recommend it as a 'bulking agent'.
• Prevents liver disorder and help control sugar level.
• Antioxidants in the fruit help liver protect from certain toxins
• Help improve vision
• Promote healthy bones.

Me and Bengals.

An eggplant from my garden

In my native language, Malayalam, a modern descendant of the ancient Dravidian language, is called Vazhuthana a staple food in our cuisines.  While growing up, it was a staple food in our cuisines; the notion of its health benefits must have been with the village folks in the tradition.  Mother grew a vegetable garden, and we got a constant supply of Brinjal for daily foods during the seasons. 

In South Africa, we grew eggfruits in our old home in Grahamstown (the name now changed to Makanda) and enjoyed sharing them among our neighbours and friends. Planting it in a pot will supply you with daily food. 

Question time

Honestly, I wasn't aware of all the above-mentioned health benefits while using them.  What about you?

This blog is for the letter D in the series of my A2Z blog posts, lasting for the entire month and is part of the A2Z Blog chatter challenge.  To read earlier posts, click on these letters. A B C D