Can You Eat The Seeds Of An Eggplant? What Are The Benefits?

The eggplant, also known as aubergine, is a versatile and nutritious vegetable enjoyed around the world. With its deep purple hue and smooth, glossy exterior, eggplants add vibrant color and texture to many dishes. But what about the seeds inside? Can you eat eggplant seeds, and do they offer any nutritional value? 

Crunchy and Flavorful Seeds

The seeds within an eggplant are not only edible but provide a tasty, crunchy addition to many recipes. Ranging in size from small pepper-like dots to large bean-shaped seeds, eggplant seeds have a mild, nutty flavor. 

Some people prefer to scoop out and discard the seeds before cooking eggplant to avoid any litte bitterness. However, the seeds themselves contain very little of the glycoalkaloids that cause bitterness. Leaving the seeds in while preparing eggplant allows you to benefit from their texture and taste.

They also make a delicious snack when roasted with olive oil, salt, and spices. Another way to enjoy eggplant seeds is by pureeing them into dips, sauces, and spreads. Their high fiber content helps create a thicker, richer consistency.

Nutritional Profile of Eggplant Seeds

In addition to adding flavor and crunch, eggplant seeds deliver an impressive nutritional package. Here are some of the top nutrients found in eggplant seeds:

• Dietary Fiber: The seeds are an excellent source of fiber, which supports digestive and heart health. Fiber also helps stabilize blood sugar levels and may aid in weight management.
• Protein: Eggplant seeds contain a decent amount of plant-based protein, providing your body with essential amino acids for building and repairing tissue.
• Healthy Fats: Eggplant seeds are a source of heart-healthy unsaturated fats, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These fats help regulate inflammation and benefit cardiovascular wellness.
• Vitamins and Minerals: You’ll also get an array of important micronutrients from eggplant seeds, such as manganese, copper, vitamin B6, niacin, magnesium, and more. These vitamins and minerals contribute to energy production, bone health, immune function, and much more.
• Antioxidants: Eggplant seeds contain antioxidant compounds like nasunin, which protects cells from damage and may lower heart disease risk. Anthocyanins, chlorogenic acid, and other antioxidants provide health benefits too.

Overall, the nutrient profile of eggplant seeds makes them a beneficial addition to your diet. And because the seeds make up a relatively small portion of the vegetable, they add lots of extra nutrition without too many extra calories.

Potential Downsides of Eggplant Seeds

Eggplant seeds are safe for most people to consume. However, some downsides are worth noting.

First, oxalates concentrate in eggplant seeds more than the flesh. For those prone to kidney stones, minimizing high-oxalate foods helps prevent oxalate buildup.

Second, traces of solanine may exist in eggplant seeds. It’s a glycoalkaloid that can cause digestive upset if consumed in very high amounts. However, eggplant solanine levels are generally low, and thoroughly cooking the vegetable helps reduce it further.

As long as you eat eggplant seeds in moderation as part of balanced diet, potential negatives are unlikely to cause problems. Anyone concerned about oxalates or solanine can remove seeds before eating as a precaution.

In Conclusion

Contrary to popular belief, those small seeds inside eggplant are completely edible and provide major nutritional value. Leaving the seeds in adds fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fats to your diet.  With so many benefits, eggplant deserve more attention at mealtime.