Eating eggplant can be a hit or miss for a lot of people. Some despise the texture while others love to play around with the vegetables’ versatility. Our take is that those who fall under the “dislike” category simply haven’t encountered good eggplant. After all, these purple skinned veggies are packed full of health benefits and can be incorporated into sandwiches, salads, sauces, and even soups. With a mild taste and endless culinary possibilities, everyone should be enjoying the stuff. Read on to discover a few reasons why you should consume more of this excellent vegetable!

Rich in Vitamins & Minerals

While not a heavy hitter in one specific nutrient, eggplant does contain an impressive array of essential vitamins and minerals. These include an excellent amount of fiber, potassium, folate, manganese, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B6, copper, thiamin, niacin, phosphorus, magnesium, and pantothenic acid. Did you get all of those? Regular consumption of eggplant will see you sitting pretty on a number of vitamin levels. Besides, with today’s hectic lifestyle, everyone could use some magnesium to level out their anxieties.

Heart Health

Eating eggplant regularly has been shown to lower “bad” cholesterol. The vitamin K readily available in eggplant can also aid in preventing blood clots, with a little bit of help from bioflavonoids. What are those, you ask? Bioflavonoids are plant metabolites that provide a number of antioxidant benefits and keep cell signaling pathways functioning properly while strengthening capillaries. You know, the important stuff.

Fiber Superhero

Like their vegetable brethren, eggplants are an excellent source of dietary fiber. Highly essential in any diet, fiber keeps your gastrointestinal health sound and your bowel movements regular. It plays a role in the absorption of nutrients too. Most people can use plenty more fiber in their diet, so why not get it from a versatile vegetable like eggplant?

Stronger Bones

If you’re at high risk of osteoporosis or bone degradation, eggplants can be a great addition to your diet. Eggplants contain phenolic compounds, which are what give them their lovely purple color. Not only have these compounds been associated with reduced osteoporosis symptoms, but they have also been linked to higher bone mineral density and stronger bones. With hearty amounts of iron and calcium, and potassium to supplement the calcium, eggplants are a phenomenal inclusion in your regular diet.

Next time you come to Bricco Salumeria, put aside your tried and true chicken parmesan order and grab some eggplant! Trust us, you won’t regret your choice. Not only does it taste delicious, but it will do your body good. Come on in today, we look forward to serving you.