Sometimes called “lady’s finger,” okra is a flowering plant with edible seed pods.Studies using concentrated compounds from okra showed they inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells by up to 63%. .
Does Drinking Okra Water in the Morning Have Benefits?
Its proponents claim that it boosts weight loss and improves blood sugar management, among other health benefits.In a study in mice fed a high fat diet, carbs extracted from okra decreased body weight, blood sugar levels, and total cholesterol ( 7 ).In another study, mice with diabetes given okra extract experienced significant reductions in body weight after 8 weeks ( 8 ).Drinking more water may increase weight loss, reduce food intake, and temporarily boost your metabolism ( 9 , 10 , 11 ).Plus, an 8-week study in 60 people with type 2 diabetes found that taking okra powder improved insulin resistance, which may support better blood sugar management ( 13 ).One test-tube study also found that okra extract may alter the expression of certain enzymes and proteins to help prevent diabetes-related nephropathy, a kidney-related diabetes complication ( 14 ).summary Okra water is a good source of several antioxidants and may promote weight loss and blood sugar management.Okra is also high in fructans, a carb that may cause digestive issues in some people when consumed in large amounts ( 15 ).Although it’s unclear whether okra water itself contains large amounts of fructans, you should stop drinking it and talk with a healthcare professional if you experience any side effects.For best results, pair okra water with a well-rounded diet rich in nutrient-dense foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.summary Although proponents often claim that you should drink okra water first thing in the morning, you can enjoy it any time of day. .
Okra: Nutrition, benefits, and recipe tips
Also, people can use many parts of the plant, including the fresh leaves, buds, flowers, pods, stems, and seeds.Gumbo is popular in the southern United States, parts of Africa and the Middle East, the Caribbean, and South America.Individual needs for nutrients vary according to age, sex, activity level, and caloric intake.According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database, one cup of raw okra, weighing 100 grams (g) contains :.A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce a person’s chances of developing a range of health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.In a 2014 study, researchers used lectin from okra in a lab test to treat human breast cancer cells.Low folate levels can lead to pregnancy loss and problems for the child, including conditions such as spina bifida.The 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend an intake of 400 mcg of folate each day for adults.In 2011, researchers made a powder from the peel and seeds of okra to treat rats with diabetes.After approximately 1 month, the rats that consumed the powder had lower blood sugar and fat levels than those that did not.According to the American Heart Association (AHA), eating foods that are high in fiber can reduce harmful cholesterol levels in the blood.High fiber foods lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity, and diabetes.People can incorporate fiber into their diet by choosing fibrous foods, such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains.Consuming foods that are good sources of vitamin K may help strengthen bones and prevent fractures.In Asian medicine, people add okra extract to foods to protect against irritation and inflammatory gastric diseases.In medicine, the viscous extract of okra could be useful as a tablet binder, a suspending agent, a serum albumin extender, a plasma replacement, or a blood volume expander.
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Okra & Diabetes: Can Help Lower Blood Sugar? Benefits, Risks
In parts of the Southern United States, okra is a food staple, like pizza in New York City or beef brisket in Texas.It finds a home in soups like gumbos, or fried -- with flour, cornmeal, and maybe a little bacon grease -- as a side dish.If you or a loved one has it, it's worth asking your doctor, a dietitian, or a diabetes educator if there's a place in your diet for okra. .
20 Health Benefits Of Okra That Are Constantly Overlooked
A small, spear-shaped green veggie with a mild taste, okra resembles a pepper and has been cultivated as a food source for hundreds of years.Okra’s dietary fiber helps you feel full for longer, which will keep you from snacking on those stray potato chips after dinner.The low caloric count of okra means you can definitely scoop another spoonful onto your dish and still see the numbers go down on the scale.The pectin in okra lowers LDL or bad cholesterol, which improves cardiac function.Packed with antioxidants, okra can provide much-needed support to cells in fighting off free-radicals that can lead to cancer.The healthy fiber in okra feeds much-needed good bacteria in our intestines, which builds our immunity against viruses and infection.The high amount of folates in okra are especially important in a pre-conception diet as it “decreases the incidence of neural tube defects in offspring“.Okra’s fiber content is also responsible for slowing down the rate of sugar absorption in the digestive tract.Okra’s powerful dose of vitamin C has been linked to easing respiratory issues like asthma.Okra boiled, cooled, and mixed with lemon juice can be applied to your hair for a nice bouncy finish.Okra is believed to be a top brain food and is eaten frequently in the Middle and Far East by students who need a mental boost.That means it’s good for joints, as well as treating lung inflammation, sore throat, and irritable bowel syndrome.Okra’s nutrients like vitamins C and A have been linked to a reduction in the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration.Thanks to its vitamin K and folates, okra has been credited with preventing bone loss and fending off osteoporosis.Okra coats the digestive tract when consumed and helps speed the healing of peptic ulcers.So whether you’re trying to lose weight, or just eating healthier to feel better and prevent future health issues, okra should definitely make it onto your next grocery list. .
9 Okra Health Benefits and How to Eat It
Whether you’re a fan of okra’s earthy flavor or still on the fence about this fuzzy green veg , these suckers are a nutritious addition to your diet.Okra — also nicknamed ladies’ fingers for its slender shape — is popular in gumbo and a fave Southern side dish when fried or pickled.That’s a good thing since antioxidants beat back oxidative stress, which raises your risk of diabetes and other chronic disease.Point is, that crispy grilled okra on your plate could fill your belly *and* keep your immune system in fighting form.Research suggests that noshing on vegetables is a solid way to reduce your risk of heart disease.In a 2014 study of mice, the ones that were fed okra powder eliminated more cholesterol in their poop than the other animals.In a 2020 study of 60 patients with type 2 diabetes who ate okra powder for 8 weeks, they also had lower cholesterol.Okra contains a protein called lectin, which was shown to slow tumor growth in a 2014 study of breast cancer cells.A recent research review further emphasized how okra’s antioxidants and lectin are a one-two punch against cancer.Folate (aka folic acid) is a critical nutrient for healthy fetus development, and okra packs it in.You might not need much folate, but everybody needs vitamin K. This essential nutrient helps your blood clot properly, protects your heart, and improves your bone health.Just a cup of okra contains over 30 micrograms, so it’s enough to help you get dem bones on the road to long life and prosperity.Munching on okra has been linked to stable blood sugar, but the research is slim, older, and done on animals.Scientists think the nutrients in okra could help prevent your body from absorbing too much sugar during digestion.Specifically, research shows okra’s fiber content could help stabilize blood sugar.Dry, powdered okra can be used in place of egg whites or to thicken sauces or soups.Just like cucumbers, adding some okra to a jar with vinegar and spices will give you a pickled product.
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7 Benefits of Okra, According to an RD
I f you live in the American South, okra is one vegetable that's found in abundance, often served deliciously steaming hot straight from the frying pan.Originally, it was cultivated f you live in the American South, okra is one vegetable that's found in abundance, often served deliciously steaming hot straight from the frying pan.From there, it spread through North Africa and the Middle East, eventually making its way to the U.S. through slaves and settlers.While many are drawn to okra for its taste—mildly earthy with more depth and crispness the longer it gets cooked—what may not be as apparent with each bite is its many health benefits."Okra is especially good for the gut," says Nour Zibdeh, RD, a registered dietitian and author of The Complete Acid Reflux Diet Plan.All vegetables contain fiber (the key nutrient for keeping the digestive system functioning properly) and okra is no exception."Okra can take on a slippery texture; this substance actually helps coat the lining of the gut when you eat it," she explains.Zibdeh explains that it's super important that the lining of the gut stay intact.Otherwise, harmful pathogens can make their way into the bloodstream; this is often referred to as leaky gut.So if you're staring at a computer all day, definitely keep okra in mind as a good veggie to work into more of your meals.So if cruciferous veggies like cauliflower and Brussels sprouts are causing some gut issues for you, try upping your okra intake until a registered dietitian can help get you back to eating a wider range of veggies.You want to aim for 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day, so okra likely won't be your primary source of the nutrient, but every bit helps!Similar to calcium, it doesn't bring enough to the table to be considered a primary source of the nutrient, but it's still noteworthy—especially for people who eat a primarily plant-based diet and need to be extra mindful of their intake.Between the cooling temperatures and looming arrival of prime flu season, who isn't trying to get more vitamin C right now?"Just be mindful of the fact that some of the vitamin C is lost when cooking okra, so the actual amount of it you'll get is lower than what you may think.".So when you fill up on foods high in antioxidants, you're helping your body fight these toxins off and protect against chronic inflammation in the process.Bamya is a traditional Ethiopian dish often made by integrating the okra into a hearty tomato-based stew, with lamb, onion, and carrots.Between the okra, spinach, seafood, and meat in this okro soup, you're definitely getting a great amount of iron.Recipe creator Imma Adamu also likes to add pumpkin seeds (egusi), which gives the stew another layer of texture.The batter is a mixture of eggs, flour, cornmeal, black pepper, and Cajun seasoning.
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Benefits of Okra And Its Side Effects
Okra or ‘lady’s finger’ or ‘bamia pod’ is a perennial flowering plant belonging to the Malvaceae family.It is rich in dietary fiber, mucilage and folates which have a number of pertinent nutritional benefits.Okra contains mucilaginous fiber that helps to move food through the digestive tract as it adds bulk to the stool.The fiber present in okra also helps us to regulate the absorption of sugar in our body as it clears out the excess cholesterol.Vitamin C also stimulates the production of more white blood cells which are our body’s primary defense mechanisms against foreign pathogens and other materials.Okra helps to protect our eyes against the dangerous effects of these free radicals and prevent the onset of macular degeneration and cataracts.The high content of soluble fiber present in okra helps to regulate blood sugar levels.Containing no unsaturated fats or cholesterol and being very low on calories, Okla can be a useful substitute to calorific food if you are trying to lose weight.Okra also rich in nutrients and dietary fiber which helps to keep your digestive system in good health.Incorporating okla in your diet helps your body to properly absorb water as this vegetable is rich in a number of essential nutrients.It is advisable for people taking metformin not to consume okra as it interferes with the drug’s action.Metformin helps to keep sugar levels in control and okra intake may nullify its effects.Moreover, okra is rich in oxalates which may bind with existing gall and kidney stones and cause them to deteriorate. .
