Apart from enjoying a delicious bowl of okra soup and relishing the slippery feel and its peculiar flavour, I am sure the majority of us know next to nothing about the other benefits of consuming this powerhouse of wellness.
However, before we delve into okra’s health benefits, let’s take a look at exactly what makes okra thick.
Okra is a flowering plant that is known in many parts of the world as a “ladyfinger”. The scientific name of this interesting plant is Abelmoschus esculentus. Although its origin is still unclear, researchers say that it could have been native to South Asia, West Africa, or Ethiopia.
Okra has potent antioxidant power in its seeds and peel which specifically help people with type 2 diabetes. Roasted okra seed has long been used in Turkey to treat diabetes.
Okra has also been studied and proven to have a positive effect on lowering blood sugar. According to a study published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences in the US, okra water improved the blood sugar level of pregnant rats that had gestational diabetes.
One good thing about natural remedies is their multifunctional attributes. You take them for just one reason but they end up resolving several other issues. Okra is just like any of them.
Here are other benefits one could get from consuming okra:
Rich In Vitamins And Minerals
1. Okra may not be the most conventional vegetable in the garden, but studies have shown that it has a rich content of vitamins and minerals including B vitamins as well as vitamins A, C, E, and K. This vegetable also contains calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc as well as high levels of nutritious and slimy fibre.
2. May Help Lower Cholesterol
Okra has been found to lower cholesterol levels in lab mice with diabetes because of its high fibre content. Foods with high fibre content and antioxidant qualities are recommended for those with diabetes because they lower cholesterol.
3. Anti-fatigue
One study indicates that recovery times and “fatigue levels” can be improved by the use of the okra plant. By including okra in your diet along with a healthy exercise routine, you may be able to work out for longer and recover more quickly from your exercise.
4. Dietary Fibre
Okra is high in fibre. Eight medium-sized pods are estimated to contain three grams of fibre.
This bulk fibre quality has several benefits. It helps digestion, cuts hunger cravings and keeps those who eat it fuller for longer periods.
5. Anti-stress Effects
There is evidence that the seed extracts of okra have an antioxidant, anti-stress effect in the bloodstream of mice. Managing stress levels is an important part of managing diabetes. Long-term high-stresses can cause blood sugar levels to spike.
Mental health should be part of any diabetes treatment plan and using okra and its derivative seeds can be a part of that plan.
HOW TO USE:
1. Drinking “okra water” is a popular new method of taking okra. The drink is made by putting okra pods in water and soaking them overnight. Some of the valuable nutrients in the skin and seed pods will be absorbed into the water.
2. Powdered okra seeds are dried out before being grounded. Ingesting the powder from the seeds as a supplement has also been researched and seen to be beneficial.
The process of making the powder is a bit time-consuming, however, one can easily buy powdered okra seeds from health food stores and online suppliers.
Okra has no stringent dosage. One can just take as much as possible every day.
Precautions:
People who are taking metformin to control type 2 diabetes should not complement it with excessive okra consumption. A study has revealed that consuming the vegetable may improve glycemic control but can interact with metformin and alter its absorption.
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That bowl of Okro soup can lower your blood sugar, treat diabetics | That bowl of Okro soup can lower your blood sugar, treat diabetics | That bowl of Okro soup can lower your blood sugar, treat diabetics | That bowl of Okro soup can lower your blood sugar, treat diabetics.
