Okra is a widely used, adaptable vegetable recognizable for its green colour and stretched exterior. The double column of seeds inside emit a foul odor when cut open. Part of the cotton family, this vegetable has been grown in the Middle East and North Africa for over 3,500 years, particular indigenous to Ethiopa and the Nile region. Early Egyptions loved okra, but slave trading and colonization have since made it a favourite in the Americas, South Africa, Europe and Asia.
Okra is low in calories but abundant in vitamin A, thiamin, vitamin B6, vitamin C, folic corrosive, riboflavin, calcium, zinc and dietary fibre. The vegetable is often prescribed to pregnant women, as its folic acid help neural tube development in embryos at 4-12 weeks.
Studies show that okra also offers the following:
o Okra has an adhesive compound and good fiber content, which helps control how glucose is assimilated into the digestive tract.
o Its adhesive compound traps excess cholesterol, metablic poisons and surplus bile its ability to absorb water ensures the digestive system is free from constipation, gas and bloating while it excretes these excess elements through the stool.
o Okra is a perfect vegetable for weight loss. When cooked over a low fire, the vegetable retains its properties and its valuable adhesive compound.
o Okra encourages the proliferation of good microscopic organisms, more commonly referred to as probiotics. Probiotics, often associated with yoghurt, help carry out biosynthesis of vitamin B complex.
o When blended with some lemon, okra makes a great hair mask to add bounce back into your tresses. Use it to wash your hair after your traditional rounds of shampoo and conditioner.
o Okra can help mend ulcers and generally soothe the gastrointestinal tract.
o Okra is an incredible source of protein and amino acids, including tryptophan, cystine and other sulphuric amino acids.
Diabetes
Okra is known for its capacity to control how sugar is ingested, helping maintain healthy glucose levels. One recent report by the Journal of Pharmacy and Bio Allied Sciences, described a study in which participants are dried and ground Okra peels and seeds. They discovered an intriguing health benefit: diminished glucose levels. This is perhaps unsurprising, as cooked okra seeds have been long used as a home remedy for diabetes in Turkey.
Immunity and Digestion
A properly functioning digestive tract boosts immunity immeasurably. Okra helps create those microorganism that are essential for strengthening your digestive tract, subsequently boosting your overall health.
Cancer
Okra’s rich antioxidant properties help defend the body against free radicals, protecting it from harmful cells which help prevent diseases like cancer.
If you don’t particular like the taste of the vegetable, you can make it more appetizing by slicing it up and adding it to gumbo, soups or stews.While it may not be the most popular vegetable on the planet, you cannot underestimate the nutritional value it offers. Its health benefits are plenty, and it also lends the advantage of consuming a food low in calories and fat content. Ultimately, Okra is an appealing addition to your diet.
