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
Make Sure You Avoid Eating These on an Empty Stomach...
Find out which foods are safe to eat on an empty stomach and which ones should be avoided entirely...
Know the Foods We Need to Eat More of as We Age
We're used to thinking that our bodies get weaker as we age, but the main reason for this is our diet. Learn what changes you need to make to remain strong.
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.
If You've Got a Diminished Libido, You Need to Read This
If you feel like your libido is diminished at the moment, don't fret - there are various things you can do to restore it. Take a look at these 9 methods.
Do You Know What Minerals are in Most Fruits and Veggies?
It's time to discover the answer to what the minerals and nutrients present in fruits and vegetables are that make them so good for us?
5 Extremely Healthy Food Combos You Should All Know About...
When paired together, certain foods can be a lot healthier than if they are eaten on their own. Here are 5 extremely healthy food combinations.
Got a Stiff Neck? Give This 90-Second Treatment a Shot!
If you ever wake up and find that you have a stiff neck, this 90-second technique will help relieve it in no time at all.
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
Unusual Signs of Vitamin B3 Deficiency You Mustn't Ignore
You may not realize you have Vitamin B3 deficiency!
How to Get Rid of Eye Floaters: Natural Remedies
A doctor explains how to get rid of eye floaters.
Prevent Alzheimer’s by Using These Expert Techniques
Listen to this expert's views on techniques that the elderly can use to enhance their brain's health.
What You Should & Shouldn't Eat With a Stomach Ache
Not sure what you should and shouldn't eat with an upset stomach? This video has all the answers!
How to Stop Leg Cramps Immediately - The Perfect Remedy
If you're over 50 and have regular leg cramps, stop everything and watch this video.
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.
Discover What Really Causes Kidney Stones In This Video
Kidney stones can be an incredibly painful affliction, often leading to surgery in order for them to be removed from the body. Find out what causes them here.
5 Common Myths About Sugar We Must Stop Believing
In this video, we discover the truth behind 5 of the most common myths about sugar.
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.
Here's What Your BMI Does NOT Mean...
Many people use BMI (Body Mass Index) as a way of working out their level of physical fitness, however the results are typically far from accurate...
What Causes Constipation? Find Out Here...
What's behind constipation? This informative TED-Ed video sheds some light on the matter!
This Little Piece of Plastic Does Wonders For Your Feet
As we age, our toes tend to cram together. Spacing them promotes blood flow and prevents pain!
Lose Weight by Using This Japanese Breathing Technique
This extraordinary deep-breathing weight-loss technique is known as the Japanese breathing technique to losing weight.
Beat Spider Veins With These Efficient, Natural Tips
Do you suffer from spider veins? Take advice on how you can treat or avoid them without paying a penny!
Let's Talk About the Anti-Cancer Benefit of Sweet Potatoes
Lets Talk About the Anti-Cancer Potential of Sweet Potatoes
3 Ways to Self Pop Your WHOLE BACK for Instant Pain Relief
Learn how to pop your own back for instant pain relief.
Who's Most At Risk of Colon Cancer? Find Out Here!
Colon cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer and deaths in the world. So who’s most at risk? How can it be screened? Find out here!
The Common Cold: Humanity’s Age-Old Nemesis
The common cold has been with humanity since its early history. So why haven’t we found a cure for it yet?
Struggling With Obesity? These Exercises Can Help a Lot
Struggling with obesity? Doing these exercises can change your life for the better.
Sit Like This at the Computer to Avoid Backache
This brilliant video shows you how you can avoid back pain when sitting at your computer.
9 Things Your Fingernails Can Tell You About Your Health
This video delves into nine revealing aspects of your fingernails that could signal important information about your health.
Feeling Bloated? This Is How to Improve Digestion Quickly
How can you improve your digestion quickly? This guide explains.
Feeling ConstantlyTired? You May Suffer From Chronic Fatigue
Did you know that millions of people suffer from Chronic Fatigue annually? Read about the symptoms and treatments for this plaguing condition.
The Secret to Flexible Muscles: How Stretching Works
Discover the actual effects of stretching on your muscles and learn ways to enhance your flexibility.
This 92-Year-Old Fitness Instructor Enlivens our Spirits!
She is 92, but fitness is her life!
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.
What is a Normal Heartbeat, and and Why Does it Change?
What is a normal heartbeat? And do we get the same speed over all our life time? This video is about to give you those answers, and more...
Yoga for Chronic Pain: Gentle Practice to Soothe and Calm
25 minute yoga tutorial you can follow from home that will help you function better on the day to day if you are suffering from chronic pain
6 Important Warnings About Using Essential Oils
You are invited to find out which factors affect the safety of essential oils and six side effects you should watch out for.
Reduce Intestinal Inflammation with This Amazing Drink
Watch this video to know about a potent juice that can help reduce intestinal inflammation.
WATCH: What Causes Floaters in Your Eyes?
We can often see things floating around our field of vision, but what are they? This science video explains all.
Transform Your Health with These Amazing Neck Techniques
These neck drills won't just relieve your neck discomfort, but will also treat a variety of neurological problems.
The MOST Important Exercise to Practice For Seniors
This video will walk you through one simple exercise recommended daily for older adults.
Does Our Stomach SHRINK When We Eat Less? Our Answer
Eat less, and your stomach will shrink over time.. is that the truth?
The Health Benefits of Waking Up to Lemon Water
Lemon water is nutritious, here is why you should drink water with lemon every day.
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.
25 Things About the Human Eye That Will Surprise You
Ophthalmologist Ashley Brissette, MD answers common eye-related questions for you.
Liver Cirrhosis: What You Need to Watch Out for
One major complication that can occur in the liver is cirrhosis, and this comprehensive guide will show you exactly how to deal with it.
Breakthrough: Lion's Mane Mushrooms Boost Memory & Nerves!
Researchers have recently uncovered the mushroom's potent compounds, particularly hericene A, that could help nerve cells grow and better interact with each other.