Lady’s finger, also known as okra, is an annual flowering plant which belongs to the mallow family. Its green pods are edible and it offers some pretty amazing advantages for the health, i.e. it is believed to be able to help with diabetes, asthma, and anemia. This is a result of its powerful nutritive value, i.e. it contains vitamins A, B, C, and K, as well as minerals such as iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and manganese and lutein and zeaxanthin and lutein, important antioxidants.
The Major Health Benefits of Okra
- Betters the health of the skin
Okra is known to improve the functioning of the digestive system and it consequently enhances the skin’s quality and averts skin-related complications.
- Alleviates asthma
Since okra is abundant in antioxidants and vitamin C, it can lower the occurrence of asthma attacks.
- Improves the cholesterol levels
This veggie is rich in fiber which is known to balance the cholesterol and better the cardiovascular health.
- Strengthens the immunity
The vitamin C and antioxidants in okra will make the immune system stronger and help prevent a long list of illnesses.
- Beneficial for pregnant women
Because it contains folate, okra has the power to decrease the chance for neural tube defects in the fetus.
- Relieves constipation
The fiber from okra will help you minimize the chance for colon cancer and regulate bowel movements.
- Makes the bones stronger
The folate from okra is highly beneficial for the health of the bones and it can avert osteoporosis.
- Prevents and alleviates anemia
Did you know that okra encourages the red blood cell production and thus it is highly effective for anemic individuals?
How to consume okra to lower blood sugar levels
The recommender intake is 3-4 pieces of raw okra without the stem part. Make a slit in order to expose the insides of the okra and cut the okra into two pieces. Then, you should submerge them into a glass of water. Put them in a mason jar and let it stand overnight at room temperature. The following morning, you should drink the okra water. You can either eat the okra or eliminate it. Within 2-4 weeks, you will notice that your blood sugar levels are significantly lowered. If you have diabetes, it is recommended to follow a healthy diet in order to obtain the best results.
Consumption Tips
You should always choose small sized organic okra instead of the big ones. Use when it’s tender, as it gets very fibrous when it’s older. Avoid okra which is soft and its color doesn’t look fresh. If not, make sure to soak okra in water with sea salt and apple cider vinegar for 10 minutes, then rinse well. Cut off the tops and cut okra into smaller pieces of 2-3 inches. To reduce the mucilage and the “green taste”, you should steam or quickly stir-fry. You can add it to your salad or consume it on its own.
Sources: