Health Benefits of Okra

Mentioned below are the best health benefits of Okra. Since okra can used with different

vegetable easily and you can use okra in different terms such as you can use okra seeds, you can even make it juice, you can boiled some okra with water to get health benefits.

Helps to improve digestion

Okra contains mucilaginous fiber that helps to move food through the digestive tract as it adds bulk to the stool. This helps to prevent digestive issues like, bloating, cramping, constipation and excess gas. It adds bulk to watery stools and even helps to prevent diarrhea. The fiber present in okra also helps us to regulate the absorption of sugar in our body as it clears out the excess cholesterol.

Okra good for immune system

Okra is rich in Vitamin C and other anti-oxidants that help to strengthen our body immunity by acting against the harmful free radicals in our body. 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 Benefits for Eyes

Okra has high content of Vitamin A and other anti-oxidants which act against the free radicals in our body. These free radicals, which are formed as a result of cellular metabolism, can cause harm to the cells which allow us to see. Okra helps to protect our eyes against the dangerous effects of these free radicals and prevent the onset of

macular degeneration and cataracts. Orka also helps in dry eye problem and improve eyesight

Okra ford Diabetes treatment & Kidney disease

The high content of soluble fiber present in okra helps to regulate blood sugar levels.

This helps to manage diabetes as the soluble fiber affects the absorption of sugars in the intestine. This further reduces the chances of developing kidney disease as half of such ailments develop from diabetes.

Okra Benefits for Skin

The dietary fiber in okla keeps digestive problems at bay and provides you with healthy skin. Vitamin C helps to repair body tissues and help your skin to look younger and more vibrant. The nutrients in okra also prevent skin pigmentation and help to rejuvenate your skin.

Okra water for lower blood pressure

Potassium, present in okla, helps to balance sodium and thus maintains a proper fluid balance in the body. Okra also helps to reduce the pressure on the cardiovascular system by relaxing the blood vessels and arteries and thereby reducing blood pressure. Blood pressure regulation helps to prevent atherosclerosis and blood clotting.

Okra helps to control obesity

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 is rich in nutrients and dietary fiber which helps to keep your digestive system in good health. This nutrition-rich food fills you up and prevents you from gorging on unhealthy food and thus helps to fight obesity.

Okra water good for asthma

It is recommended for people suffering from asthma to incorporate okra in their diet. Okra has shown some to have some positive effects in the treatment of asthma.

Okra water good for constipation

Incorporating okra in your diet helps your body to properly absorb water as this vegetable is rich in anumber of essential nutrients. This, in turn, helps the stool to seamlessly traverse the digestive tract and get eliminated.

Uses of Okra

In tropical countries, okra pods are one of the most widely used vegetables. They can be consumed in a variety of ways – chopped, sliced, stewed or fried. The pods of okra can be pickled and preserved. The leaves of this vegetable are also edible and they are often utilized raw in salads. When okra is boiled with water, a transparent mucilage is formed which can be used to moisturize your hair. It also helps your hair to gain bounce and shine.

Okra Side-Effects & Allergies

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. Therefore okra should be consumed in optimum quantities.

Cultivation of Okra

Okra plant is cultivated tropical, sub-tropical and warm temperate regions of the world but its origin is debatable. The Egyptians and Moors had known the use of this vegetable in the 12th and 13th century respectively. It spread to Eqypt from the Arab states while it is believed to have come to Arab from Ehiopia. However, there are different voices from different parts of the world such as from South Asia, from Ethiopia and also from West Africa which all claim that this vegetable originated in their respective areas. The pods of the okra are rich in nutrients. The okra plant is grown in the tropical and warm temperate regions all over the world due to its nutrient-rich pods. It requires a long warm growing season and it is highly sensitive to frost. A temperature of less than 20 degrees celcius is harmful for the seeds. Although this plant can grow in a wide variety of soils, sandy loam and clay loam soils are best

suited for its cultivation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nutritional Value of Okra Per 100 Grams

Okra contains a number of essential vitamins and minerals and so is beneficial for your health. Okra is very low in calories and has no saturated fats or cholesterol. It is rich in dietary fiber, mucilage and folates which have a number of pertinent nutritional benefits. Okra is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, B-complex group of vitamins like niacin, thiamine, pantothenic acid and vitamin B-6. Essential minerals like calcium, iron, manganese and magnesium are present in okra.

 

Nutritional facts per 100 Grams        Vitamins and Minerals

33g  Calories                                             14% vitamins A,  0.08% Calcium  0.2g Total fat    38% Vitamin C,  3% Iron, 10% Vitamin B-6,                                         14% Magnesium

7mg Sodium,   299mg Potassium

7g total Carbohydrate, and   1.9g Protein                                                              

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