How many calories are in eggplant

Information on Eggplants

Eggplants contain extremely low amounts of calories. A cup of raw sliced eggplants contains no more than 24 calories. Because of such a low amount of calories contained, the eggplant may be considered as a negative calorie food item, because it takes more energy to digest it than it actually provides. Eggplant is an excellent addition to any diet plan because it can help to maintain a steady weight or even lose some excess pounds. Both the flesh and the skin of the eggplant are edible, and up to 20 percent of calories actually come from its skin. Eggplant is not among the most popular vegetables in the United States but it is commonly used for numerous recipes in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, India and East Asia, and in some countries it is harvested in the wild, although the fruits of the wild eggplant vine tend to be slightly smaller than the domestically grown ones. The nutritional values are very similar between the two. Eggplant is an annual plant and it is semitropical as well. It comes from the family of nightshade so it is closely related to tomatoes and potatoes.

Health Benefits of Eggplants

Eggplants provide the human body with many different types of health benefits because they contain low amounts of sodium and saturated fats and they contain no cholesterol at all. Eggplants are also an excellent source of vitamin B6, dietary fiber and various essential minerals. They also contain high amounts of sugar which may be a problem for some people. A serving of 100 grams of fresh eggplant contains up to 5 grams of sugar. It also contains plenty of nicotine. Eggplant can even be used a substitute for meat. It can be dipped in egg white and dredged in flour and then cooked in a pan. Raw eggplant has a bitter taste, but it disappears once it gets cooked. The flavor of a cooked eggplant is very complex and rich. Eggplant can also be used for the preparation of numerous different types of salads. It is an easy plant to grow as it requires a temperate climate.