YES, YES, YES .... eat the skin! Nasunin is an anthocyanin in the eggplant skin. It is a powerful antioxidant that protects brain cell membranes from free radical damage. Anthocyanins are water-soluble pigments that have many health benefits. They also help give the eggplant its well-known, dark purple color. The skin of the eggplant is also rich in fiber, potassium, and magnesium. Eggplants are in the nightshade family. For people with some health conditions, eliminating nightshades from their diet has been shown to be beneficial for them. But, I would keep in mind many of the health benefits before excluding them.