6 Health Benefits of Okra

 

Okra is a fruit with edible seed pods biologically classified as a fruit but utilized like a vegetable in cooking.
It is in two colors (red and green), which have the same taste, and the red one turns green when cooked. Okra has a slimy texture, which some people find unappealing. It contains a variety of nutrients.

Fresh red and green okra

Below are the health benefits of okra.

Nutrient-dense

Okra is rich in several nutrients. These include; Calories, carbs: 7 grams, protein, fiber, magnesium, and vitamins (folate, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K1, and vitamin B6).

Vitamin C supports your overall immune function, while vitamin K1 supports blood clotting.

Okra is also low in calories and carbs and contains protein and fiber. These may support weight management, healthy bowel movements, blood sugar control, bone structure, and muscle mass.

Contains antioxidants

Okra contains antioxidants beneficial for your health.
These compounds fight off damage from harmful molecules. Polyphenols are the major antioxidants in okra. These include; Flavonoids and isoquercetin, vitamins A and C.

Eating a diet high in polyphenols may support heart health by lowering the risk of blood clots and oxidative damage. They may also improve brain health.

May lower the risk of heart disease

Heart disease may increase due to high cholesterol levels.
Okra contains mucilage, a thick gel-like substance that can bind to cholesterol during digestion, causing it to lower cholesterol levels.
It’s also rich in polyphenols, which support heart health by fighting harmful inflammation.

May lower blood sugar

Having well-maintained blood sugar levels is very important for your overall health. Having consistently high blood sugar levels can cause prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Adding okra to your diet may decrease sugar absorption in the digestive tract, leading to a more stable blood sugar response.

Note: Okra may interfere with metformin (a diabetes medication), so talk to your doctor before adding it to your diet.

Beneficial for pregnant women

During pregnancy, folate is an essential nutrient as it helps lower the risk of a neural tube defect, which affects the brain and spine of a developing fetus. Include okra and other folate-rich foods to prevent this defect and other complications.

Easy to add to the diet

Okra is easy to prepare.
When you go to the grocery store, look for okra with smooth and tender green pods without brown spots or dried ends. Store them in the fridge to prevent them from drying or becoming brown.

You can add okra to your diet in different ways. These include;

• Add okra to soups and stews. It contains mucilage, which thickens the soups and stews.

Stewed okra

• You can also make okra as a sauce. Add your kitchen ingredients to it, and you will enjoy the new sauce.

Okra sauce

• Add okra to hot water, leave it cool and drink.

A glass of okra water

Summary

Okra is a nutritious food with various health benefits. It contains nutrients such as; magnesium, folate, fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins A, C, and K1.

Okra may improve heart health and blood sugar levels and benefit pregnant women.

Preparing okra is easy. You can add this healthy food to your grocery list and watch out for its amazing health effects.