Egg fruit is now available in different shapes and colors. In prepared form, they are very healthy. But what about raw fruits, are they edible or even poisonous?
Eggplant edible raw?
What can be safely said is that eggplant, which, like potatoes and tomatoes, belongs to the nightshade family, is only weakly to non-toxic. However, they can hardly be eaten raw. This is due on the one hand to the bitter substances it contains, which make the fruit taste very bitter, and on the other hand to the weakly poisonous alkaloid solanine.
- Only contained in small quantities in ripe fruits
- In small resp. normal amounts completely harmless
- Share in raw and unripe fruits is significantly higher
- Egg fruits can in principle also be eaten raw
- Only ripe fruits and modern varieties are required
- Let unripe aubergines ripen at room temperature
During the ripening process, this slightly poisonous alkaloid disintegrates little by little, although it is hardly contained in modern varieties anyway. The situation is different with varieties from old seeds, here it can occur in higher concentrations. By the way, it can't be fry or
Remove or weaken crickets, only by cooking. A large part goes into the cooking water, which is then usually poured off.Tip: When ripe, the peel of the eggplant is smooth and shiny and it can be indented. The flesh under the shell is relatively soft and white; when unripe it is green.
ingredients
- 92.6% water
- 2.8% fat-soluble fiber
- 0.5% minerals
- 0.2% fat
- 1.0% protein
- 4.0% carbohydrates
- B vitamins and folic acid
- The toxin solanine and bitter substances
Tip: Sensitive people may be allergic to one or the other ingredient.
Solanine uptake and its consequences
The alkaloid is a weak neurotoxin that can be found in the leaves, flowers and unripe fruits of this plant in particular. Unripe and raw fruits contain a particularly large amount of the toxin. Only the cooked fruits including their peel are suitable for consumption.
- Consumption of raw fruits can lead to health problems
- With larger quantities, symptoms of poisoning
- Including headache, gastrointestinal complaints and vomiting
- More serious consequences are drowsiness and difficult breathing
- Up to damage to the nervous system
The fruits only lose their poisonous effect when they are cooked. The bitter substances are harmless to health, but are largely responsible for the inedibility of raw fruits. When consumed in moderation, bitter substances can even have a positive effect on health. Modern breeds are usually less bitter and the solanine content is usually lower.
Toxicity to pets and farm animals
Due to its high solanine content, the fruit in particular has an increased toxic effect on pets and farm animals such as dogs, cats, guinea pigs and rabbits. Even though dogs and cats in particular tend to be carnivores by nature, they can ingest eggplants with their food. This is usually not a problem when cooked and in very small quantities. However, fruits that are raw and / or unripe should not be fed under any circumstances. Rodents and even chickens should not be fed one or the other either.
Symptoms of poisoning in dogs and cats
- Vomit
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Indigestion
- cramps
- Tremble
- weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Paralysis
- Cardiac arrest
At the latest when the dog or cat is suffering from shortness of breath or symptoms of paralysis, a veterinarian should be consulted immediately. As a first aid measure, you can give your animal charcoal tablets. They have the ability to bind toxins and direct them out of the body.
Symptoms in rabbits and guinea pigs
- Drinking more often
- Increased salivation
- Refusal to eat
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Blood in the urine
- Nosebleeds
- fever
- Muscle tremors
- Changes in the pupil
- Shortness of breath
- Seizures
- Paralysis
- Drowsiness and loss of consciousness
Insidious poisoning can manifest itself in skin changes, pale or bluish discoloration of the mucous membranes, weight loss and hair loss. Then you should take the animal in question to the vet as quickly as possible.
Eating raw fruits while pregnant
A healthy diet is particularly important during pregnancy. Eggplants (Solanum melongena) are particularly recommended foods at this time. But here, too, it is all about fully ripe and cooked or otherwise cooked fruits. When processed appropriately, they can also be eaten by pregnant women, alternating with other types of vegetables, without hesitation. In the raw state, especially now, they should definitely not be eaten. On the other hand, the bitter substances contained are unproblematic. They do not have any negative effects on health, neither for the pregnant woman nor the unborn child.
Reduce the amount of bitter substances
To reduce the amount of bitter substances before preparation, the ripe fruit can be cut into slices and sprinkled with salt. Then leave them for about thirty minutes and wash them off thoroughly. Another advantage of salting in is that the salt removes water from the fruit and soaks it up with less fat when it is subsequently roasted or grilled. However, this is usually no longer necessary with modern varieties, which are nowhere near as bitter as those of old seeds.