Okra has long been appreciated by people concerned about their health especially for its high content of vitamins and fiber. It is a low-calorie food that has also proven its health benefits in general. Scientists have been studying okra to demonstrate its positive effects on diabetes, cholesterol, asthma and kidney problems. Read the article for more details!
This vegetable is in the form of an edible green seed pod, which is mainly used for culinary purposes as an ingredient in some of our favorite vegetable dishes. Besides its use in our dishes, okra has excellent health benefits. Indeed, a glass of fresh okra contains 30 calories, 2 grams of protein, 3 grams of dietary fiber, 0.1 gram of fat, 7.6 grams of carbohydrates, about 80 micrograms of folic acid, 21 milligrams of vitamin C and 60 milligrams of magnesium.
The benefits of okra for health
Okra is able to relieve the symptoms of asthma, strengthen immunity, reduce cholesterol levels, fight diabetes and prevent kidney disease.
Okra and diabetes
High fiber foods are great for people with diabetes, they can help stabilize blood sugar by changing how the intestines absorb sugar. A laboratory study showed that okra water improves blood glucose levels in female rats with gestational diabetes. Roasted okra seeds, long used in Turkey to treat diabetes, have also been studied and have been shown to be effective in reducing blood sugar levels.
A recent study from 2018 confirms that okra powder significantly reduces blood glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels in obese rats made diabetic by streptozotocin.
Okra and cholesterol
According to a 2014 study published in Phytotherapy research, okra lowers cholesterol levels in laboratory mice with diabetes. Foods with high fiber content and antioxidant qualities are recommended for diabetics because they lower cholesterol.
Okra and asthma
Because of its high vitamin C content, okra is an excellent food for asthmatics. Indeed, vitamin C is very effective in fighting the symptoms of asthma especially in children. A study published in 2000 in the American Thorax revealed that the consumption of citrus or kiwifruit conferred a highly protective effect against the symptoms of wheezing in children.
Okra and kidney diseases
Regular eating of okra can be helpful in preventing kidney disease. A 2005 study published in the Jilin Medical Journal found that patients who consumed okra on a daily basis reduced the clinical signs of kidney damage more than those on a diabetic diet. This is useful because the majority of kidney failure cases are due to diabetes.
The different forms of okra
Popular forms of okra for medicinal purposes include okra water, okra peels and powdered seeds.
Okra water: Cut both ends of 4 pieces of okra, then divide them into three parts. Put them in an airtight jar filled with water and let stand overnight. Drink this water 30 minutes before your breakfast, do not throw the sticks of okra. Remember to combine them with your morning smoothie.
Okra peel: Grate the outer portion of the okra with a kitchen grater or lemon zester, then use the peel in your lunch salad.
Okra seeds in powder form: They must be dried before being crushed. The ingestion of seed powder as a supplement has been studied and found to be beneficial. The process of making the powder takes a little time and requires a lot of work. However, you can easily buy powdered okra seeds at health food stores.
