There are many fruits and vegetables with immense nutritional benefits and garden eggs are not left out.
The consumption of fruits and vegetables are very essential for your body, because they help reduce the risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions.
The nutritional benefits of garden egg to the human body cannot be overemphasized.
In most African countries, this fruit is a highly valued delicacy and constituent of the African food.
It is said to represent fertility and blessing and thus, common to find it being served during wedding ceremonies in some African communities.
In Nigeria, garden eggs are usually at their best from August through October, and although technically a fruit, it is harvested and utilized as a vegetable.
Garden eggs are well known across the country and commonly sold in open markets, but they are more prevalent in southern Nigeria.
Since garden eggs contain rich amounts of antioxidants, dietary fibre, folic acid, vitamins and minerals, here are 8 things you’ll benefit from eating it.
1) It aids digestion
One of the advantages of fibre in food is its ability to improve digestion. And since garden egg is rich in fibre, it will help with the digestion of your food by ensuring the smooth passage of food in your body, so that there is no chance of bloating and constipation.
2) It improves your vision
The pleasantly bitter garden egg flesh contains small amounts of nicotinoid alkaloids which helps to protect poor vision caused by glaucoma.
It also contains the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which may help to prevent age-related eye degeneration, which can lead to vision loss in older people.
3) It helps to prevent heart disease
Garden egg is an excellent source of fibre, potassium, vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B6 (niacin) and antioxidants, all of which enhances the proper functioning of your heart, by majorly lowering the level of bad cholesterol in your body.
4) It has cancer preventive properties
The consumption of garden egg helps to prevent tumor growth and the spread of cancer cells, thanks to the presence of anthocyanins and chlorogenic acid, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
5) It helps in the control of blood sugar
Garden egg helps in reducing the rate at which sugar is digested and absorbed into your body while increasing insulin secretion on the other hand.
Once this is achieved, your blood sugar levels will be made steady, and thus lowering the occurrence of any spikes.
6) It helps in weight loss
Garden egg is one of the foods you should never ignore if you intend losing weight fast.
It is the perfect recipe for achieving weight loss within a short period of time because it has low amounts of protein and calories.
7) It helps to improve fertility
Since garden egg is known by Africans to represent fertility, it has been used in local medicine in the treatment of libido and infertility issues in both men and women.
Garden eggs are also an excellent source of vitamin B-complex, which are essential for fertility.
8) It helps during pregnancy
Garden egg is rich in folic acid, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients which make it an essential part of the daily ration of every pregnant woman, which will help both the unborn child and the mother for healthy situational conditions.