From boosting the immune system, helping in digestion, weight management to detoxifying the body, Okra is a very nutritious fruit that is sometimes referred to as the “lady’s finger”. Below are some of its health benefits.
Okra is a source of vitamins C and K1. Vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient that contributes to your overall immune function, while vitamin K1 is a fat-soluble vitamin that’s known for its role in blood clotting
Additionally, okra is low in calories and carbs and contains some protein and fiber. Eating enough protein is associated with benefits for weight management, blood sugar control, bone structure, and muscle.
It keeps you feeling full; Okra’s dietary fiber helps you feel full for longer, which will keep you from snacking on those stray potato chips after dinner.
Its great for your digestion; The fiber is the main factor here again. High fiber content is great for the digestive tract and keeps you going more regularly. This not only helps keep your weight down, but makes you healthier over all.
It’s a low calorie food; It’s always nice when a food can satisfy your hunger and help you stay trim. 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.
It helps the body detoxify itself and helps you shed excess water weight. A great weapon in your arsenal for de-bloating!
It helps control cholesterol levels;The pectin in okra lowers LDL or bad cholesterol, which improves cardiac function.
It’s cancer fighting; Packed with antioxidants, okra can provide much-needed support to cells in fighting off free-radicals that can lead to cancer.
It boosts the immune system; The healthy fiber in okra feeds much-needed good bacteria in our intestines, which builds our immunity against viruses and infection.
It supports fertility and healthy pregnancy;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“. Likewise, eating more folates during the pregnancy helps support a healthy mom and baby.
It stabilizes blood sugar levels; Okra’s fiber content is also responsible for slowing down the rate of sugar absorption in the digestive tract.
It helps prevent diabetes; Research has shown that in addition to its stabilizing effects on blood sugar, okra actually reduces blood sugar levels and could be an option for diabetes prevention.