Eggplant water: know the benefits and learn how to consume it

For those who want to lose a few pounds, every tip is welcome, isn’t it?! So it’s not surprising that many people were interested when they heard about the benefits of “eggplant water”!

“I read about eggplant water a while ago in a magazine and, as I usually have eggplants at home, I decided to give it a try. I had read that it helps to lose weight and the idea did not seem bad to me, so I created the habit of having a glass of water every morning, before breakfast”, says Letícia Mendes, a teacher, 26 years old.

Fernanda Elias, a 21-year-old student, says she has also tried eggplant water. “I heard some people saying that it helped them lose weight and I decided to try it. I took half a liter a day for a week… I had good results, I thought I even lost a little belly, but honestly I wouldn’t take it again because the water tastes so bad,” she says.

If you still don’t know it, you may be wondering: after all, what is this eggplant water? What benefits does it offer? These and other answers can be found below.

How to prepare eggplant water?

Functional nutritionist Helouse Odebrecht explains how to make eggplant water:

Use:

1 eggplant, cleaned and cut into slices
1 liter of mineral water

Preparation: Put the eggplant and water in a pitcher and let it soak in the fridge overnight. Strain and drink a glass of water on an empty stomach. It can be made by beating the water with some fruit as well. Use the eggplants in a preparation.

The recommendation, in general, is to drink eggplant water every day in the morning, on an empty stomach, for a week. You can have a glass early in the morning and then consume the rest (1 liter) throughout the day.

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What are the effects of eggplant water?

Most people adhere to eggplant water because they believe that it aids in the weight loss process and offers other benefits. But is this really true?

Helouse points out that leaving the eggplant in the water for a certain time (usually overnight) and then drinking this eggplant water is a strategy that can work very well, yes. “Mainly because the eggplant is rich in fibers that stimulate the reduction of blood cholesterol. In other words, it can make the body eliminate cholesterol, as it stimulates this action through its fibers”, he highlights.

However, highlights nutritionist Helouse, everyone should remember that miracles do not happen. “Drinking water with eggplant and then eating a plate of French fries, or even not having a balanced diet, won’t make any difference,” she says.

The nutritionist also adds that introducing eggplant in the diet can also be an interesting alternative. “Grilled, baked or boiled are its healthier and less caloric versions”, she points out.

The main benefits of eggplant

It doesn’t matter if you’re going to include eggplant in your diet – eating it grilled, roasted, etc. – or if you are going to adhere to the habit of drinking eggplant water in the morning, it is important to know the benefits that this food can offer.

Helouse highlights that the eggplant, in addition to being delicious, already has several identified properties and benefits. This is what she explains below:

It is an excellent source of fiber, vitamins and minerals essential for some vital functions.
It is rich in the B complex, which participates in several activities in our body, among them: memory and muscle strength.
It is also an excellent source of vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system.
It is also a source of vitamin A, which is important for the health of hair, skin and nails.
Among the minerals, we can mention calcium, potassium and magnesium, which control bone and nervous system health.
In addition to all these nutrients, we find some bioactive compounds and antioxidants, which make it even more nutritious and functional.

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Thus, Helouse highlights as the main functions of eggplant:

Diuretic action;
Control of blood cholesterol levels;
Control of hypertension;
Combating premature aging;
Coadjuvant in the treatment of obesity by helping the elimination of fats in the diet;
It helps in the control of diabetes, arthritis and rheumatism, by reducing glucose absorption and having an anti-inflammatory effect.

Tasty eggplant recipes

If you want to include eggplant in your diet, you will love the recipes below. The first is a suggestion by functional nutritionist Helouse:

1. Eggplant Antipasto

Use:

2 large eggplants, cut into strips
1 yellow pepper cut into strips
1 red pepper cut into strips
1 large onion
3 tablespoons of white raisins
3 tablespoons Brazil nuts
½ cup of olive oil
½ cup red wine vinegar (optional)
salt to taste

Preparation mode:

Cut the unpeeled eggplants, the yellow and red peppers and the onion.
Place in a colander and salt the vegetables. Leave for 15 minutes.
Place in a pan: first a layer of eggplant, then a layer of yellow and red peppers and finally the onion.
Place the cracked raisins and chestnuts on top after a splash of olive oil.
Repeat the layers in the order above until the pan is full.
Cook over low heat until it turns a caramel color.
It can be served cold.
If necessary, add water to prevent sticking.

2. Eggplant kibbeh

Use:

1 cup (tea) wheat
3 cup (tea) of water
2 large eggplants
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
1 medium onion chopped
1 tablespoon of chopped mint
1 dessert spoon of chopped basil
½ teaspoon of light margarine
salt to taste
1 tablespoon (dessert) light margarine for greasing

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Preparation mode:

Soak the wheat in two cups of water for two hours. Then wash and squeeze. Reserve.
Peel the eggplants and cut them into small pieces and heat until cooked, along with the rest of the water and the lemon.
Drain and let cool.
Then squeeze the eggplants, to remove all the excess water and chop them, with a knife, into smaller pieces.
In a bowl, mix the eggplant, wheat, onion, mint, basil, margarine and salt. Knead with your hands.
Arrange this mass on a refractory form greased with margarine, without kneading.
Cover with aluminum foil.
Place in medium oven to bake for 25 minutes.
Remove the paper and bake for another 15 minutes.

Now you know: there is no shortage of good reasons for you to include eggplant in your diet! If you prefer, consume eggplant water, but remember that it does not work miracles… To help with the weight loss process, it must be consumed within a balanced diet. If in doubt, always consult your nutritionist.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.