OMG!!! DOES OKRO (aka LADY FINGERS) REALLY AFFECT OUR HEALTH THIS MUCH????

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), known in many English-speaking countries as lady's fingers, bhindi or gumbo, is a flowering plant in the mallow family similar to that of cacao. It is valued for its edible green seed pods. It is green, sweet, tasty and most of all, slimy. The geographical origin of okra is disputed, with supporters of South Asian, Ethiopian and West African origins. The plant is cultivated in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions around the world. Its leaves may also be eaten, but people are often interested in the plant’s pods.

OKRA

Okra is known for a lot of names in different parts of the world. Okra is either loved or hated by many for its distinct sticky character but the health benefits are amazing.  For instance, Okra is one of the richest sources of soluble as well as insoluble fiber that offer protection from various lifestyles related disorders like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity etc.
Okra is either loved or hated by many for its distinct sticky and slimy character. But from a medical point of view, okra is a vegetable that individuals should NOT ignore. In fact, some of the benefits of okra come from its sliminess.
Apparently eating the crispy and immature okra on a daily basis is good for people who suffer from a variety of digestive problems, including diseases like colitis, ulcers, and constipation because of its slimy nature.

Nutrition
Okra is a rich source of many nutrients, including fiber, vitamin B6 and folic acid. I got the following numbers from the University of Illinois Extension Okra Page compiled by Sylvia W. Zook, Ph.D. (Nutritionist)

Okra Nutrition (half-cup cooked okra)
Calories = 25
Dietary Fiber = 2 grams
Protein = 1.5 grams
Carbohydrates = 5.8 grams
Vitamin A = 460 IU
Vitamin C = 13 mg
Folic acid = 36.5 micrograms
Calcium = 50 mg
Iron = 0.4 mg
Potassium = 256 mg
Magnesium = 46 mg
These numbers should be used as a guideline only, and if you are on a medically restricted diet please consult your physician and/or dietician.

Good Eye Sight

Scientific research on the benefits of certain vegetables has been ongoing, and researchers have been and are discovering many interesting facts about this vegetable. Okra has been one of the vegetables that have been included in a number of studies, with some absolutely incredible results which include the following:-

Improves Good Eyesight
the okra pods are good sources of Vitamin A and beta carotene which are both essential antioxidants for maintaining good eyesight. It is one of the green vegetables with highest levels of these antioxidants. In addition, these essential antioxidants also help PREVENT eye related diseases such as cataracts and retina-related eye problems.

Natural Remedy for Diabetes
Okra is good for diabetic patients because it helps to normalize blood sugar level. The fibre in okra helps to stabilize blood sugar by regulating the rate at which sugar is absorbed from the intestinal tract especially the large intestine.
According to a 2011 study published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Bio-allied Science, researchers corroborated that okra was a potential alternative source to treat diabetes because it lowers blood sugar level significantly in tested animals under laboratory conditions.
Here is the process to use okra sap therapy for diabetes control. Soak overnight two pieces of okra, whose rear and cap are chopped off, into a glass of water.  A sticky white liquid will start coming out of the okra. Do not wash it off. In the morning, remove the pieces of okra from the water and drink it. Just wait for around 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything else. This is to be done on a daily basis in order to control blood sugar levels.
Controls Cholesterol Level

Cholesterol Heap in the Blood Vessel

Controlling the body’s cholesterol level is somewhat challenging because it is difficult to resist foods high in cholesterol content. One of the best health benefits of eating okra is the effective control of the body’s high cholesterol level. It helps to absorb water and traps excess cholesterol, metabolic toxins and surplus bile in its mucilage, slipping it out through the stool.
In a 2011 study published in “Journal of Pharmacy & Bio allied Sciences”, researchers also suggest that extracts from okra normalized cholesterol level.

Treats Stomach Ulcer
In a 2004 study entitled “Glycosylated compounds from okra inhibit adhesion of Helicobacter pylori to human gastric mucosa”, extracts from okra was found to prevent Helicobacter pylori, the germ that causes stomach ulcer,

Stomach Ulcers

adhering to the walls of the stomach, thus preventing peptic ulcer.
The researchers assumed in this study, which was documented in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry that the anti adhesive qualities of okra was due to a combination of glyco- proteins and highly acidic sugar compounds,  a complex three-dimensional structure that is fully developed only in the fresh juice of the okra fruit.



Prevents Constipation
Okra helps lubricate the large intestines due to its bulk laxative qualities. The okra fibre absorbs water and ensures bulk in stools, thus helping to prevent and improve constipation. Unlike harsh wheat bran, which can irritate or injure the

Constipation

intestinal tract, okra’s mucilage soothes, and okra facilitates elimination more comfortably by its slippery characteristic.

Boosts Immunity Against Diseases
Okra is a rich source of Vitamin C. For example, 100 grammes of raw okra pods contains about 21 milligrammes of vitamin C according to “The Nutribase Complete Book of Food Counts. Research suggests that consumption of foods rich in vitamin-C helps the body develop immunity against infectious agents, reduce episodes of cold and cough and protect the body from harmful free radicals.

Prevent Congenital Malformation in Babies
Folic acid, also known as vitamin B-9, is especially important during pregnancy because it decreases the incidence of neural tube defects in newborns. According to “The Nutribase Complete Book of Food Counts” a 100 grammes of raw okra pods contains about 88 microgrammes of folic acid.

Folic acid is an essential nutrient of okra which improves the development of the unborn child’s brain. This nutrient prevents mental deficiencies of the foetus inside the womb of the pregnant woman.

Supports strong bones
Okra provides good amounts of Vitamin K which is important to build and maintain strong bones. Vitamin K is also essential for the production of blood clotting proteins that control bleeding.


Protects from colon cancer
Okra is full of dietary fibre, which is essential for colon health and digestive health as a whole. The fibre Okra provides helps to clean the gastrointestinal system, allowing the colon to work at greater levels of efficiency. Additionally, the Vitamin A contributes to healthy mucous membranes, helping the digestive tract to operate appropriately.

Good for asthma
Okra contains Vitamin C, which has been shown to help with respiratory issues like asthma. A study concluded that “the consumption of fruit rich in Vitamin C, even at a low level of intake, may reduce wheezing symptoms in childhood, especially among already susceptible individuals.”

Reduces Nephropathy Risk

Nephropathy is damage to the kidneys caused by high blood sugar, high blood pressure and inflammation. The initial sign is high levels of protein in the urine. Over time, nephropathy may lead to end-stage renal disease, which may require regular dialysis as treatment. To reduce your risk of nephropathy, keep your blood sugar within the ranges recommended to you by your doctor, control your weight and maintain healthy blood pressure levels. Liu Ke-hu of China's The First Hospital of Jilin University reports that eating okra can reduce the risk of diabetic nephropathy. According to a study published in the October 2005 issue of "Jilin Medical Journal," Liu and her colleagues split a group of 70 diabetics into two groups. One group received traditional (orthodox) diabetic treatment while the other received the same treatment while eating okra every day. The group that ate okra had better kidney health over six months compared to the control group.

Helps Weight Control

Losing weight is an important aspect of treatment for diabetes. Diabetics who lose weight generally have better blood glucose control than those who don't. Fortunately, just losing about 5 percent of your total weight is enough to notice a significant difference in your blood sugar. Vegetables such as okra are ideal for a weight-loss diet, as they are low in calories. Diets that are rich in fresh vegetables promote weight loss. To keep okra a low-calorie choice, cook it without adding much oil, butter or other calorie-rich ingredients.

The mucilaginous okra fiber is very effective in preventing type II diabetes. It prevents insulin spikes and thus keeps a check on blood sugar.

Patients with type 2 diabetes who consumed a diet containing food naturally rich in fiber (e.g., 50 g fiber/day, 50 per cent soluble) for six weeks had significant improvements in glycemic control and lipid panels when compared with patients who consumed a diet with moderate amounts of fiber (e.g., 25 g fiber/day, 50 per cent soluble).
I hope that this piece provides significant results as you put the lessons here to work.