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Nutritional Value
In terms of nutritive value, Okra is a great source of vitamins and minerals, including Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium and Zinc, as well as vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9 and C. These are the main causes behind all of the health benefits that come from Okra. Apart from that several amino acids like Tryptophan, Threonine, Isoleucine, Leucine, and Lysine are also found in Okra which is extremely beneficial for our health.
Health benefits of Okra
As stated, Okra is abundant with several vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that handles the health advantages the plant provides. Here are a few of okra’s health advantages:
1. May Help Lower Cholesterol
Okra has been discovered to lower cholesterol levels in diabetic lab mice. Foods that have high fiber content and antioxidant qualities are suitable for those with diabetes because they lower cholesterol. The American Heart Association points out that people with diabetes are more likely to have unhealthy cholesterol levels. When high cholesterol levels are combined with diabetes, the outlook is not good. That’s why it’s so dangerous to make sure that your diet has healthy cholesterol levels.
2. Digestive Health
Perhaps the best part of adding okra to your diet is the significant increase it can have on your total fiber intake. Mucilaginous fiber like you find in okra can help move food through your digestive tract by adding bulk. This means that bowel movements are more regular and there is a reduction in gastrointestinal problems like cramping, bloating, constipation, and excess gas. Apart from that it also helps prevent diarrhea, because it adds bulk to watery stools. Lastly, fiber can help to clear out excess cholesterol in the body.
3. Anti-Fatigue Benefit
Research has shown that recovery times and “fatigue levels” can be enhanced by use of the okra plant. Including okra in your diet along with a proper healthy exercise routine, you may be able to work out for longer and recover more quickly from your exercise. Cardiovascular activity is an essential part of preventing and treating diabetes. This means that the okra plant may contribute to a more active lifestyle.
4. Vision Booster
Okra consists of considerable amount of vitamin A, as well as other antioxidant components like beta carotenes, xanthein, and lutein. Antioxidants are powerful compounds that may destroy as well as neutralize free radicals, which are the hazardous byproducts of cellular metabolism. Free radicals are actually responsible for the degradation of the cells in the body, including those responsible for vision. Sufficient amount of okra in your diet is extremely beneficial for eye sight, including macular degeneration and cataracts.
5. Blood Pressure and Heart Health
Okra is a wonderful source of both vitamins and minerals, including potassium that is an essential aspect of human health. Potassium is essential to maintain proper fluid balance within the body, because it balances sodium. Additionally, potassium helps to relax the blood vessels and arteries, which consequently reduces blood pressure and reduces the strain on the cardiovascular system. This means that clotting and atherosclerosis will be greatly reduced.
6. Anti-Stress Effects
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 stress levels can cause blood sugar levels to spike. Mental health should be a part of any diabetes treatment plan, and using okra and its derivative seeds can be a part of that plan.
7. Skin Health
Vitamin A present in okra help to protect skin health, by promoting quicker healing, decreasing the appearance of scars and acne, and eliminating wrinkles. This is because the antioxidants are able to neutralize the free radicals which may have damaged those skin cells.
8. Manage Diabetes
Soluble fiber can help diabetics because of its ability to keep blood glucose levels stable — it affects how sugar is absorbed in the intestines. In a research published in the journal ISRN Pharmaceutics, researchers soaked sliced okra pods in water and then gave rats the solution through a gastric feeding tube — a control group was not fed this solution. Research found that okra helped reduce the absorption rate of glucose and in turn reduced blood sugar levels in the treated rats.
9. Immune System
Various antioxidant components present in okra make it very beneficial to fight off free radicals; however the high vitamin C content also means that the general immune system is boosted. Vitamin C helps to stimulate the immune system to create more white blood cells, which can combat the other foreign pathogens and materials in the body that can compromise the immune system.
