Can I eat raw eggplant?

Eggplant firmly took the position of the product beloved by many and became a part of almost any table. The cooking options for this vegetable are the most diverse; they are usually used in fried, stewed and boiled form.

However, there are lovers of raw eggplant. At the same time, there are doubts about the benefits of eating them raw. It is necessary to determine whether ingestion of eggplants that have not undergone heat treatment does any harm to the body.

Benefit and harm

In order to answer the question of whether it is possible to eat raw eggplant, you need to decide on the beneficial properties that they possess. Young vegetables contain many vitamins (C, group B, PP, K, etc.), as well as the following trace elements: magnesium, zinc, potassium, sodium, and phosphorus.

Such a composition rich in nutrients contributes to a wide range of beneficial effects on the body.

1. Strengthening the heart muscle, reducing the likelihood of developing diseases of the cardiovascular system. Improving the condition of blood vessels, increasing their elasticity.
2. Removal of excess fluid from the body, followed by normalization of water balance.
3. Decreased cholesterol levels.
4. Prevention of the development of cancer.
5. In case of excess weight - splitting of fat cells.
6. Strengthening bone tissue.
7. Normalization of the digestive tract.

Undoubtedly, regular use of eggplant will bring considerable benefits to the body. But you should know that the valuable properties of these vegetables are most pronounced when it is subjected to heat treatment. Thus, the preliminary preparation of eggplant will enhance the beneficial effects. In addition, it is young eggplants that will bring maximum benefit to the body. An overripe vegetable, on the contrary, can cause harm, especially when raw. It is worth abandoning the use of such a product.

The main danger is the substance solanine, which is found in eggplant and is toxic and poisonous. Over time, its concentration in the composition of the vegetable increases. If a substance enters the body in large doses, poisoning is possible. Dissolution of solanine can be achieved by pre-soaking the eggplant, followed by heat treatment. Due to this, the likelihood of poisoning is significantly reduced.

Contraindications

For some groups of people, raw eggplant is particularly dangerous and the use of this product is completely contraindicated for them. Namely, such conditions include:

• children under 3 years old;
• impaired renal function;
• iron deficiency;
• gastrointestinal pathology;
• allergic reactions.

Raw eggplant options and possible risks

Raw eggplants are inferior to heat-treated eggplants not only in the value of their nutritional composition, but can also affect the body in the most unfavorable way. Eating such vegetables is fraught with the following unpleasant consequences:

• flatulence;
• nausea;
• pain in the stomach.

Such symptoms, when a healthy person occurs, do not pose a particular threat and are eliminated in a short time. But still there are many people who are trying to exclude eggplant in any form from the diet, fearing the risk of encountering a similar condition.

Moreover, raw eggplant is very specific in taste and this is another reason why many refuse to eat it. Without the soaking procedure, the vegetable will have a bitter taste, and after it - it risks being completely tasteless.Therefore, you have to combine it with other components and use to prepare various dishes. However, this directly depends on the variety of eggplant. Some of them will appeal to any gourmet, as they have a special taste and aroma.

Nevertheless, it is worth highlighting some methods of eating raw eggplant:

1. The juice. Vegetable juices have a lot of useful qualities, and contribute to solving the problem of many common diseases, in particular - heart and blood vessel diseases, as well as problems associated with metabolic disorders. And although eggplant juice is not very popular, it can be used in combination with carrot or beet juice.
2. Pickling. Eggplant will get a new taste if you marinate it with the addition of your favorite spices to taste. This method of preparation will relieve the vegetable from the taste of bitterness. Lemon juice should be used for marinade.
3. Chips. Cutting the eggplant into thin slices, and eliminating the liquid with a dehydrator, you can get vegetable chips. Before cooking, stand the slices in the marinade and add spices.
4. Salads. Raw vegetables are a common ingredient that is added to a wide variety of salads. Eggplant can also be used for cooking. To do this, they are mixed with other components, but pre-soaked in salted water. It is recommended to cut eggplant for salad into small pieces, removing the skin from them. Then it should be mixed with the rest of the ingredients.

1. Give preference to young vegetables. When using old eggplants, they should be peeled and peeled, because they contain the main concentration of solanine.
2. Soaking in salt water to eliminate bitterness.
3. Drying to remove excess moisture that holds a bitter taste.

Thus, you can still eat raw eggplant. But this should not be abused in order to avoid the risk of adverse consequences causing unpleasant conditions associated with the digestive tract. Moreover, vegetables cooked by heat treatment will bring the greatest health benefits.

Video: how to cook eggplant for a raw foodist