Can consuming eggplant water help you shed 10kg in a week?

Hyderabad: A video claiming that consuming brinjal-infused water help lose weight in a week is doing the rounds on social media.

The caption for the viral video states, “1 eggplant, you will melt your belly fat in 7 days without diet or exercises, you will lose up to 10 kg in a week #weightloss #bellyfat #homemade #diy #drinks.”

The video has garnered over 1.5 million views at the time of writing this article.

Eggplant or brinjal is high in fibre and easy to digest. But can brinjal water alone help you shed 10 kgs in a week?

FACT CHECK

Eggplant or brinjal is no doubt a tasty veggie. Not only that but eating brinjal is beneficial for your gut health.

According to Healthline, “Eggplants are high in fiber and low in calories, making them an excellent addition to any weight loss regimen. Fiber moves through the digestive tract slowly and can promote fullness and satiety, reducing calorie intake. Each cup (82 grams) of raw eggplant contains 3 grams of fiber and just 20 calories.”

It added, “Additionally, eggplants are often used as a high-fiber, low-calorie replacement for higher-calorie ingredients in recipes.”

Though the article talks about the benefits of eating brinjal as a meal, there is no conclusive evidence that drinking brinjal-infused water will help shed 10 kgs in a week.

Further, we contacted Dr. Jaheerunnisha, a consultant nutritionist at Renova Hospitals, who said that without any exercise and a balanced diet, it is impossible to lose weight.

“Yes, eggplant can help in weight loss but with proper balanced diet and exercise. It is a rich source of fibre, vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants. It also contains high amount of water and it helps to burn belly fat,” said Dr. Jaheerunnisha.

“Eggplant is a very low-calorie vegetable and it is an excellent diuretic which helps to get rid of fluid and makes the tummy full for a longer period of time (give a satiating effect). This vegetable can be taken by people who are looking to lose weight but only with proper exercise and diet,” Dr. Jaheerunnisha concluded.

Sujatha Stephen RD, chief nutritionist at Yashoda Hospitals, explained, “There is no single food that will help you lose weight. Our body has multiple functions and it needs basic nutrients to keep it healthy and fit. So for weight loss, healthy food with balanced nutrients and exercise will help.”

She added, “Adding brinjal to your meal will fulfil the balance of fibre intake but there is no study that states that brinjal-infused water will aid in weight loss.”