Okra is an African vegetable that’s been a staple of African, Indian and Pakistani cuisine for many centuries, as well being used for medicinal purposes. It goes by numerous other names in addition to okra, such as bhendi, bamia, ochro or gumbo.
The plant also produces a very pretty flower – white with a wine-red center. While this adds to okra’s esthetic value, its true specialty is the edible green seed pods it produces. These pods are extremely beneficial to human health. Here are five of the main benefits:
1. It Helps Fight Diabetes
Evidence of this was shown in animal studies. Once these studies were underway, researchers were able to purify the principle chemical that’s known for its abilities to improve diabetic people’s health. In one study, the chemical, called myricetin, was given to pregnant rats that had gestational diabetes. This was found to have highly positive effects on their blood sugar levels.
Furthermore, the study found that when the solution containing myricetin was given to the rats orally, their digestion slowed down. This allowed glucose to stay in their system for a longer time period, which meant that levels of it in their bodies had a much less dramatic post-meal spike.
2. It Lowers Your Caloric Intake
Okra contains a rare combination – it’s very nutrient-rich while containing few calories relative to its nutritional value. It’s also a great source of carbohydrates, as are similar vegetables.
Numerous studies have established a clear link between an unnecessarily-high caloric intake and various diseases, so it’s always a good thing to eat something that will give you the nutrients your body needs while being low in calories.
3. It’s Chock-Full of Vitamins
No less than 10 different vitamins and minerals can be found in okra, with some of the highlights being Vitamin A, which is great for the skin, Vitamin C, which does wonders for the immune system, and Vitamin E, which helps prevent cell damage in the body.
Doing away with your vitamin supplements and introducing this vegetable into your daily diet together with similar ones is pretty much a no-brainer. In addition to okra’s high vitamin and mineral content, what’s particularly special about it is the highly efficient way it delivers vitamins to the body.
4. It Improves Digestion
Because okra is high in fiber, it can have a positive impact on your digestive system and assist with gastrointestinal difficulties, especially with regard to regulating your “transit time” – the time between eating and going to the bathroom.
Fiber is great because it offers something the body can’t process, which in turn helps it to form a regular stool. It is now a known fact that people who have a healthy digestive process tend to have other bodily processes that are equally as healthy.
5. It Improves the Look and Strength of Your Skin
The dietary fibers and Vitamin C contained in okra promote skin health by boosting various important bodily processes. For instance, the latter is known to improve the effectiveness of the body’s regenerative abilities.
There are some who also credit okra with improved skin pigmentation, however there are no studies to corroborate this.
Content Source: Natural Solution Today
Are You Giving Your Body Enough Nutrition? Find Out Here
In order to live a long and healthy life, you'll need to take care of your body and mind by paying attention to your eating and drinking habits...
No One Expected These Foods To Become So Popular
Culinary trends change all the time, but these foods are so popular today you wouldn't believe their humble beginnings.
Want to Improve Your Diet? Here Are 12 Easy Changes
These 12 small changes are exactly what you wanted to eat in terms of good taste, texture, and use, but they make a difference in your health!
10 Reasons to Have a Daily Spoonful of Balsamic Vinegar
Balsamic vinegar has been found to be very good for human health. Discover the benefits here.
What You need to Eat to Get Your Daily Dose of Vitamins
Discover the types of vitamins you need and what amount of vitamins different products contain. Also discover how much you need to eat to get the daily amount of each vegetable.
This Antioxidant-Rich Spice is Great For Your Health!
Vibrant paprika powder makes for a wonderful addition to every dish. But did you know that this spice also has numerous health benefits?
Remove Age Spots Easily with Two Simple Ingredients...
Got age spots? Here's how to remove them easily.
How to Fix Your Sleep Schedule – Science-Backed Facts
Find out how your circadian system functions as an internal clock to keep your body running.
Study: Can Our Sense of Time Heal Us Faster?
A recent groundbreaking study delves into how our perception of time can significantly impact the physical process of healing.
The Truth About the Medical Secrets of Amazon Tribes...
Mark Plotkin spent years among the tribes of the Amazon and he has some fascinating secrets to share.
For Great Health, Add Goji Berries to Your Shopping List!
From fighting aging to a super-charged immune system, this miracle fruit carries with it so many health benefits it should be in everyone's shopping cart.
Watch 20 Doctors Give Their Best Health Tip
20 top doctors, each an expert in a different medical field, all sharing one valuable health tip - packaged neatly into a single, convenient video
WARNING: The Potential Risk of Grapefruit Juice
It's packed-full of vitamins and minerals, but it can also cause serious poisoning and even death....
Every Senior Must Do These Simple Seated Exercises
Seniors will find this video extremely helpful.
This Video Will Teach You About the Causes of Heartburn
Heartburn is a problem for many of us, but what actually causes it, and how can it be treated? Find out in this informative video.
Natural Methods to Improve Hearing That Actually Work
Now you can improve your hearing at home with these natural methods.
The Symptoms of a Fatty Liver and How to Treat it!
Fatty deposits on your liver can seriously hinder its function. In this video, Dr. Berg explains the symptoms of a fatty liver and how to treat it.
Doctors Explain: 2 Powerful Tools in Dealing With Anxiety
A renowned doctor equips you with not one, but two phenomenal tools to effectively manage and control your stress.
This 10-Minute Brain Exercise Will Recharge Your Brain
Suffer from headaches, migraines, or brain fog? This 10-minute exercise can really help.
Did You Know: Why Are There Different Blood Types?
There are four main blood types that are prevalent throughout humanity. Watch this fascinating video to learn about blood types and their differences.
STOP Calf Pain - The Best Stretches for Your Sore Calves
Get rid of your calf pain for good with these simple exercises.
How to Treat an Obstruction in Your Stomach
Did you know that you can naturally treat gastric obstructions by adding to organic ingredients to your diet?
Discover What Happens In Your Body When You Have a Fever
Have you ever wondered exactly why does our body produce a fever? Find out more in this video.
The 6 Best Artery-Cleansing Vitamins and Supplements
These vitamins and supplements will help keep your arteries clean.
Did This Technique Just Kill 99% of Cancer Cells?
This revolutionary method, employing the power of vibrating molecules, heralds a new dawn in the fight against cancer, offering hope for a more efficient and less invasive approach to treatment.
Suffer From Dizziness? These Home Remedies Will Help...
We all experience dizziness from time to time. These home remedies will help alleviate the symptoms.
Dissolve Blood Clots from Your Body With These Vitamins
Untreated blood clots can lead to life threatening complications. Here are some vitamins that can help dissolve them safely.
Relieve Pain in the Feet and Heels in Just a Few Minutes!
Do you experience frequent pain at the bottom of the feet? If so, check out these simple exercises for instant relief!
Prevent and Treat a Hump Within a Month!
These exercises will make sure you don't develop a hump - or treat the one you have.
Don’t Believe These Lies: 12 Popular Egg Myths Busted
For the sake of french toast and sunny side up eggs for breakfast, we decided to bust 12 harmful and simply untrue beliefs about eggs
How Much Fruit is TOO Much for Your Health?
Fruits are healthy, but is there a thing as eating too much of them? Watch out for these signs.
Can Aging Be Cured in Your Lifetime? It May Be So...
Could there be a cure for aging? Watch this video and find out!
The Secret to Flexible Muscles: How Stretching Works
Discover the actual effects of stretching on your muscles and learn ways to enhance your flexibility.
Here's a Fast Technique to Put You to Sleep In 1 Minute
Struggling to fall asleep at night? Here’s a super exercise that might make you doze off in just 60 seconds.
20+ Surprising Things About Your Skin You Never Knew!
Watch dermatologist Dr. Muneeb Shah answer some important questions about skin and dermatology.
12 Superfoods That Burn the Fat Off Your Diet!
These great superfoods should be part of everyone's meal!
How the Location of Knee Pain Can Reveal Its Cause
Depending on where your knees hurt, you can sometimes tell what could be causing the pain.
7 Things Stress Does to Everybody, Without Exception
Stress is one of the biggest problems we have to deal with in modern life. Here are 7 recent conclusions about stress you should know about.
6 Common Mistakes We All Make When Showering
Which of these 'mistakes' are you guilty of making?
Health Tips: The Best Natural Alternative for Viagra
Drinking this healthy drink everyday can help cure erectile dysfunction
14 Super Foods that Fight to Prevent Cancer
These super foods, taken daily, have been proven to fight to free your body from the risk of cancer.
Unusual Signs of Vitamin B3 Deficiency You Mustn't Ignore
You may not realize you have Vitamin B3 deficiency!
The MAIN Differences Between Fish Oil and Cod Liver Oil
Both cod liver and fish oils are healthy options. But which one is more suitable for your body?
Nothing Helps Your Migraine? Try This Yoga Practice
This easy restorative yoga practice focuses on pranayama breathing and can help reduce the uncomfortable symptoms of headaches and migraines
Is Calorie-Counting Just a Nutrition Theory Gone Wrong?
We've all been counting calories for decades in hopes to cut down on our waistlines, but it turns our that the calorie system might be wrong
Try This Natural Drink to Detoxify and Cleanse Your Liver
This natural, easy-to-make drink can do wonders to your liver!
The "Longevity Vitamin": Where Can You Get Some?
Watch the video to understand all about Ergothioneine, and why it's referred to as the "longevity vitamin".