THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT GARDEN EGGS OTHERWISE CALLED THE EGG PLANT

Green garden egg

                                               INTRODUCTION: The green egg plant commonly known as GARDEN EGGS, ANGHARA or AFUFA in Igbo or OBE-IGBA in Yoruba is a common staple with regards to fruits in Africa in general and with particular reference to Nigeria. It's health benefits is all embracing, starting with the fresh stem, the leaves and of course the fruit, though slightly bitter, but extremely beneficial to health. In certain cultures in Nigeria, it represents a great reception for a guest. It is excellent for weight loss, hence can be incorporated into a diet plan for weight watchers. It's full of vitamins and minerals. It is a great delicacy when eaten with groundnut paste. It's best season is between August and October when it is found in great abundance.

History has it that the egg plant is native to India and England before the spread all over the world; hence there are different species of this egg plant grown in different parts of the world today. It ranges from the PURPLE coloured ones grown in India and England, to the GREEN  and WHITE ones grown in black Africa, with special reference to Nigeria as depicted in the pictures above and below.

aubergine

White garden egg

It is however called AUBERGINE, in England and BRINJAL in India, MELONGENE etc according to other researchers. In all however, the health benefits as well as the contents are the same. The English use the specie found in their environment in soups, sauces, stews and so many other dishes.

COMPONENTS : It is rich in the following

(1) High fiber content
(2) Potassium
(3) Copper
(4) Thiamine (vitamin B1)
(5) Manganese
(6) Vitamins C, K, B6
(7) Magnesium
(8) Folate
(9) Niacin
(10) Phytonutrients such as (nasunin and chlorogenic acid
(11) Calcium and so many others as postulated by previous researches

HEALTH BENEFITS AND USES:

(1) GOOD FOR WEIGHT LOSS,: It's high fiber content makes it good for weight loss. It's filling when eaten, hence helps you to avoid over eating.

(2) AIDS DIGESTION: The high fiber content acts as roughages within the digestive system, hence helps digest carbohydrates taken in foods, thereby reducing stomach bloating.

(3) REDUCES SUGAR LEVEL: It is a green vegetable as well as a fruit, so the antioxidants in it helps to reduce the absorption of glucose in the body and lower the blood sugar levels.

(4) REDUCTION OF CHOLESTEROL LEVEL: It helps in reducing the cholesterol level in the body, thereby protecting the heart from heart related diseases.

(5) HEART HEALTH: It is heart friendly because it has no atom of fat in it, it is very rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals, hence it reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This in other words means that the THIAMINE(Vitamin B1) and the NIACIN (Vitamin B6) content of egg plant ensures proper cellular respiration thereby reducing the risk of heart related diseases.

(6) LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE: It's potassium content helps in regulating blood pressure.

(7) BLOOD BUILDER: It helps anemic patients in blood building and restoration.

(8) AIDS IN VISION: The egg plant helps in aiding the vision of glaucoma patients, by helping to lower their eye pressure, just like any other fruits highly packed with vitamins and minerals (www.realnewmagazine.net)

NEW DISCOVERY - SOMETHING YOU MAY NOT KNOW AND HOW? 

Garden egg leave 

As we all know, the egg plant is a blood builder, but Do you know that the leaves can help restore the blood of an anemic patient within one week? HOW? 

Firstly, chewing it raw and fresh with a little onion can do the magic


Secondly, making a fresh garden egg leave soup as depicted in the picture below and serving such patient for one week will equally do the trick of blood restoration.

Garden egg leave soup 

Garden egg leave soup 

HOW TO MAKE THE SOUP:

Ingredients, is as desired, what is most important is the leaf.

TENTATIVE RECIPE:
1 med bunch garden egg leave or as desired

5-10 pics of snail (optional)

1 med dry fish or stock fish head ( or Both)

1 cup perewinkle (optional)

1 med onion

1-2 tabsp thickner of choice

1-2 tabsp palm oil (depending on quantity)

1-2 cups of water (depending on quantity desired)

Soup spices,  like crayfish, pepper, knoor cubes, salt etc.

METHOD:

(1) If you are using snail, get your snail washed, and steamed with the water provided. If you are not, get your fish and stock fish washed

(2) Put in a pot, add your onion, pepper, salt and cube to steam with part of the water.

(3) When it's cooked, add the remaining water for the cooking proper. Note that the quantity of water depends on the quantity of soup desired, and how light you want it. But it's best light.

(4) Bring the pot to a boil, then add your palm oil, thickner, crayfish, pepper etc

(5) Leave to steam for about 10-15mins

(6) Add your periwinkle and allow to steam for another 3mins.

(7) Finally add your already cut garden egg leave.

(8) You can bring down your pot immediately you put the leave or you let it steam for a few seconds.
The secret is, the leaves remaining green in order to supply the required vitamins.

NOTES: the beauty of this soup is that, it must be light to be licked with a spoon. It can be eaten with any swallow of choice, basically with the help of a spoon. It's best prepared fresh and  eaten fresh for a better glowing skin and a healthy living.

This research will not be complete, without mentioning the garden egg sauce which is a major delicacy in certain parts of Nigeria and is eaten with boiled yam or plantain.

Finally the egg plant and it's health benefits is inexhaustible, it's vitamins and mineral content could be said to be a cure for all kinds of diseases. It is awesome for weight loss, heart friendly, enhances vision, restores blood and stomach friendly. Incorporating it into your daily diet enhances your general well being and also gives you a glowing and healthy  lifestyle.