10 Health Benefits of Okra
Okra is a flowering plant that is a member of the mallow family. It is unclear of exactly where okra originated from, but it was known to the Egyptians in the 12th century.
Okra is edible and is often used in dishes, although it is sometimes used for industrial purposes. The leaves, the seeds, and the stems are all used. Okra is known for its distinct texture and for its sweet flavor. Its seeds are sometimes grounded, toasted, and then used as a caffeine-free alternative to coffee.
Okra is also thought to provide us with various health benefits, some of which are explained in further detail below.
Okra Benefit #1: Energy Giving
It is important that we have at least a certain amount of energy. Not only does this help us to be active, but it also helps us to think clearly. This is obviously very important when it comes to working and other responsibilities, while it also helps in our social and romantic lives.
Some people have more difficulty in maintaining energy levels than others, though. They can feel lethargic and struggle to perform important tasks, potentially having an impact on their standard of living. Okra, however, is a good source of polysaccharides, and these will help to keep us feeling full of energy.
Okra Benefit #2: Aids Digestion
We often hear a lot about the importance of keeping various parts of our body healthy. The digestive system does not seem to get mentioned as often, but that does not mean that it is any less important. Indeed, it is essential to us that our digestive systems remain in good working order.
Perhaps the biggest impact on the health of our digestive system is the food that we eat. One of the best types of food that we can eat for our digestive system is fiber, and okra is a very good source of this. It will help everything to pass through smoothly and can also help to prevent diseases.
Okra Benefit #3: Healthy Brain
Even the smartest of people can find that the health of their brain will begin to deteriorate. We are all at risk of developing conditions such as Alzheimer’s and it can be devastating not only to the patient but also to everybody close to them. It is also something that we know relatively little about and research continues into the subject.
Getting the right types of nutrients could go a long way toward maintaining our mental health well into the future. Studies have shown that eating okra can help to reduce the oxidative stress on the brain. This can help to keep the brain in good condition, and this can help to prevent the onset of neurodegenerative disorders.
Okra Benefit #4: Growth and Development
From the moment the egg we came from is first fertilized, our body will be generating new cells. These are cells that help us to grow and develop while new cells are also needed for maintenance and repair. Of course, it is important that this process runs smoothly, and okra can help achieve that.
Okra is a good source of folic acid. This is a compound that allows us to make new cells as needed, while also helping to protect the DNA against damage. This makes it important for everybody, but pregnant women especially are advised to get plenty of okra in their diet.
Okra Benefit #5: Battles Obesity
Losing weight is hard work, and a lot of people are unsuccessful after trying. It often involves getting active to burn off calories, while it also often involves being strict about what you eat. Both of these require considerable self-discipline and most people will need all the help they can get.
Including certain foods in our diet can help in the fight against obesity, and okra is one of them. Okra is able to help regulate the levels of bad cholesterols in our body, while also helping to regulate blood sugar levels. It is also low in calories and high in fiber, both factors that can help people to lose weight.
Okra Benefit #6: Laxative
We will sometimes find that things stop moving along as smoothly as they should do in the digestive area. This can be down to a variety of causes, such as illnesses or even having eaten too much of the wrong type of food. Things will usually start moving along again in their own time, but it can be helpful to give it a bit of help.
Okra is able to help in this regard because it is a natural laxative, meaning it can help to stimulate the movement of food through the system. In addition, it is also thought to be able to relieve inflammation, heal ulcers, and treat irritable bowel syndrome.
Okra Benefit #7: Probiotics
Most people will object to the thought of having bacteria in their food, and for good reasons. Many are bad for us and can make us quite ill, potentially even posing a threat to our lives. Not all bacteria are bad for us, though. As a matter of fact, some are very important to us.
Our digestive systems are home to a variety of bacteria, many of which help us to digest our food. It is important to ensure that these bacteria exist in the right balances, though, and consuming probiotics can help us achieve this. Probiotics are commonly found in foods such as yogurt, while okra is also a good source of probiotics.
Okra Benefit #8: Helps Diabetics
Diabetes is a condition that a lot of people are born with, while it is also a condition that can develop. It is caused either by a lack of the hormone insulin or by a resistance to it. Either way, the outcome is that the patient cannot regulate the levels of sugar in their blood.
People with diabetes will generally have to avoid certain foods lest their blood sugar levels are affected. Some foods can actually help with this regulation, though, one of which is okra. Studies have shown that it is also able to help reduce cholesterol levels in the blood.
Okra Benefit #9: Healthy Heart
The importance of a healthy heart cannot be understated. We need it to be able to pump the blood around our bodies all day, every day. As such, it makes a lot of sense to take care of them and not just in the short term, but also for the long term. This tends to mean a healthy lifestyle, and this can also mean including plenty of okra in your diet.
Studies have shown that okra contains compounds that are beneficial to the health of our hearts. It can also help to protect our hearts against superoxide radicals, which could otherwise lead to serious complications.
Okra Benefit #10: Healthy Liver
The food that we eat is not completely free from toxins and other impurities. The same goes for the water that we drink and even the air that we breathe. Toxins could build up within our bodies to dangerous levels, but we have organs like the liver that help prevent that from happening.
This means that a healthy liver is essential, and okra can help with this. It has properties that can help reduce inflammation of the liver and can also reduce the risk of necrosis. Make sure to get plenty of okra in your diet and your liver should remain healthy and well for many years to come.
