Yes, garden egg is a type of Eggplant which is native to Africa
Eggplant is a high-fiber, low-calorie and highly nutritious fruit (berry) that has potential health benefits and are consumed fresh as well as boiled, steamed, pickled, or in stews with other vegetables.
Eggplant is a member of the family Solanaceae, with different species of varieties, colours and sizes. The eggplants with a deep purple skin being the most common.
Some common types include;
• Purple eggplant (Aubergine)- Solanum melongena
• African garden egg (Scarlet eggplant) – Solanum aethiopicum
• Pea bitter eggplant (likok eggplant)- Solanum indicum
• Other types of eggplant:. bit.ly/3PcBaN40
Interesting facts about Eggplants
• Eggplants had their names as “eggplant”, because certain cultivars produce white fruits of an oval shape, that they look like chicken eggs.
• Consuming eggplant flowers or leaves can be dangerous to human health.
• Eggplants are botanically closely related to tomatoes and peppers.
• Eggplants are technically berries but are regarded as vegetables when cooking
• Eggplant has more nicotine than any other edible plant. But the amount is very low and can’t do any harm.
• Eggplants are known as ‘King of the Vegetables’ in India.
Health benefits of Eggplant
• Helps to boost heart health as its fiber content , potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B-6, and antioxidants work together to achieve this.
• Reduces bad cholesterol and the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease because it contains dietary fiber and chlorogenic acid.
• Protects the body from cancer because it (especially the peel) contains solasodine rhamnosyl glycosides (SRGs), a type of polyphenol.
• May help to reduce blood sugar because of the fiber and polyphenol content.
• Boosts brain function and prevents memory loss because it contains nasunin, a type of anthocyanin.
• Good for weight loss because it is rich in fiber
• Improves eye health because it contains lutein and zeaxanthin.
• May improve bone health.
Tips
• It is advisable to eat organic eggplant and wash it thoroughly before consumption.
• As an eggplant eater, It is advisable to get a doctor or nutritionist’s advice while taking medications because eggplant contains phenylalanine, an amino acid that can interact with some drugs and reduce their effectiveness.
• It is advisable for pregnant women, not to consume too much eggplant as its nitrate content may leads to issues like high blood pressure during the gestational period.
• To reduce bitterness of eggplant, it is advisable to peel the eggplants, salt them and let them drain.
• It is advisable for people suffering from kidney stones to limit eggplant consumption because the fruit contains a high amount of oxalates.
• It is best to consume small portions at a time as the fruit contains a substance called solanine, which acts as the plant’s natural pesticide and is poisonous if consumed in large quantities.