Health Benefits of Eating Okra: What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Okra Every Day
In today’s time people are so much involved with their daily chores that they are unable to focus on their health. Improper diet, lack of nutrition and bad lifestyle are the prime reasons that contribute to health problems. But do you know about okra health benefits? Do you know what happens to your body when you eat okra every day?
If you are wondering is okra healthy? Then you may find your answers in this article.
What is Okra?
Okra is a vegetable which is better known as ladies’ finger across the world. Okra’s scientific name is Abelmoschus esculentus, but there isn’t any study or record about its origin. It contains rich healthy content like potassium, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, calcium and folic acid which is beneficial for health.
If you are unaware of the health benefits of okra then you must know that there is a plethora of reasons why you should start consuming this vegetable.
Health Benefits of Okra
Diet Control
Okra fiber content is quite high which helps a person in avoiding unnecessary hunger cravings and improving metabolism. A good metabolism helps in burning extra fats which further helps a person in maintaining their ideal weight. Therefore, eating okra to lose weight is surely a good option. Those having trouble shedding weight can consume okra juice to lose those extra inches.
Okra and Diabetes
Health benefits of okra are endless and it is known by most of us that it is primarily used by diabetic patients to control their sugar levels. By consuming okra water one can easily bring down their sugar and maintain the required levels. Okra benefits for diabetes aren’t just restricted to people having increased sugar levels. However, it is been proven that it also helps in controlling gestational diabetes.
How to use Okra for diabetes?
Take few okra pods and cut to remove the ends.
Slit the pods and retain the sticky liquid.
Drop the pods into a glass full of water and cover it with a dish overnight.
Separate the okra pods next morning and drink the remaining water in the glass.
Make sure you prepare fresh okra water every day for consumption.
Okra for Pregnancy
Consuming lady finger vegetable during pregnancy is said to ease out labor pains. It contains certain vitamins that prevents birth defects such as spinal bifida. Most of the doctors recommend the consumption of okra vegetable during the neural development of the fetus. Further Okra contains high levels of Vitamin C which triggers iron absorption which is the most important factor for the baby’s growth.
Okra Helps in Soothing Asthma
Health benefits of okra are many. For instance, it eases out respiratory problems. Okra nutrition contains compounds which help in soothing mucus congestion. It cleanses the windpipe and relieves those ailing with respiratory problems such as asthma.
Okra Helps in Controlling Cholesterol
Health benefits of okra also include prevention of cholesterol related issues. Eating okra may help in avoiding heart diseases and other problems arising due to increased cholesterol levels in blood. Uses of okra therefore include maintaining the cholesterol levels which mostly trigger obesity and heart diseases.
Okra Helps in Digestion Control
Okra plant contains fibers that are soluble in nature. This not only helps in maintaining the digestive system but also reduces the risk of heart related issues.
There are ample other health benefits of okra and it is definitely one of the most nutritious vegetable which you must include in your diet to accelerate healthy living. Interestingly, okra plant benefits in fighting skin and hair problems as well. Here are some of the effects of okra extracts on skin.
Benefits of Okra for Skin
Look Younger with Okra
As mentioned earlier okra has high Vitamin C levels which has many health benefits. For instance, it rapidly heals body tissues and helps in maintaining tight and wrinkle free skin. So, if you wish to attain young and vibrant skin then consuming good amounts of okra can prove to be effective.
How to use?
Take 6 fresh okras and cut them horizontally.
Boil them in one cup of water for 10 minutes.
Remove the boiled okra and put them in blender.
Add 4 tsp of thick Greek yogurt and 1tsp of extra virgin olive oil into a blender.
Blend for few seconds to make a smooth paste.
Put the paste in a sealable jar and store in a refrigerator and use within a week.
Apply the face pack on face and neck, let it sit for 15 minutes.
Rinse off with lukewarm water.
Repeat twice a week to attain youthful skin.
Glowing Skin with Okra
Apart from excellent health benefits of okra, the vegetable has several commendable effects on skin. Okra pumps moisture into the skin therefore making it soft and supple. Wish to achieve that extra glow?
How to use?
Add 1 tsp of okra powder in water to attain a gel.
Spread this gel on your face avoiding the eyes.
Keep it for 10 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water.
Moisturize your skin with shea butter to attain the extra glow.
Repeat twice or thrice a week to see quick results.
Get Rid of Acne
The slime present in okra lubricates the digestive system and lets the wastes flush out quickly through the intestines. Since, most of the people suffering from acne, struggle with constipation, okra helps in eliminating wastes properly therefore keeping the skin healthy and acne free.
If you have been browsing through the internet searching what okra is good for? Then you must have come across the usual things. But did you know that it has excellent effects on hair too?
Add Bounce to Hair: If you are tired of your frizzy and distressed hair then Okra is an excellent way to attain bouncy hair. Add okra in some water and boil it to get a transparent hair gel. Apply it and let it sit for an hour. Rinse off with cold water to get fresh and bouncy hair.
Moisturize the Scalp: Dry and flaky skin can be treated with okra. Yes! Benefits of okra water include scalp moisturizing. It is best for treating lifeless, dry and brittle hair.
Excellent Conditioner: Okra plant is rich in protein which helps in giving excellent shine to your hair. Applying okra water as a hair pack can help in making the hair strands strong and shiny.
Apart from usual health benefits of okra, there are many hidden benefits too.
Okra and Eyesight: Okra is rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C which reduces the risk of eye defects such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
Keeps Away from Cancer: Okra is full of anti-oxidants which help in fighting free radicles that cause cancer.
Good for Nails: If you have brittle nails then adding okra to your diet may help you in getting strong and shiny nails. If you dislike okra, you can buy the organic okra powder and add it to your shakes and smoothies to make them taste better.
Preparing Okra
Health benefits of okra are limitless; therefore, it is recommended by most of the dietitians across the world. If you are planning to control your diet then here are few tips to prepare okra.
Cut both the ends of okra and then cut or slice the okra pod as per your choice.
Put some oil in frying pan and keeping the flame low.
Let the oil heat up so that you can put the cut okra into it for frying.
Fry until the mucilaginous content is gone.
Cover okra with a dish, keeping the flame low and let it sit for 15-20 minutes.
Add salt, coriander powder, turmeric powder and chilli powder as per your taste.
Serve with chapattis.
Raw okra leaves can also be consumed along with your regular salad platter. You can also steam them to make them soft if you are unable to consume them raw.
Okra is an excellent fibrous vegetable which has several health benefits. It is not only good for your health but is also effective in several other ways.
Most of us have been perceiving that eating okra to lose weight and diabetes are the only health benefits of okra. But after reading this post you must have got to know about the hidden benefits of this wondrous vegetable.
Eating nutritious and fibrous diet is the key to healthy living. So, include okra to your diet today and get the best out of it.
Eat healthy and stay fit!
