I grew up eating Okra from the Moroccan meals my mother used to cook. In Morocco, we eat Okra in stew together with meat. Sadly Okra is not very common in modern cooking so I thought it would be nice to highlight this lovely green vegetable today and list its many benefits and reasons to add it to our weekly meals. Enjoy!
The dietary fiber content of okra/lady’s finger is known to be high, and hence, many health specialists recommend it for digestive benefits. The fibers aid the process of digestion in the body by facilitating proper bowel movement.
2. Prevents Diabetes
Okra is known to aid in the prevention of diabetes. It is rich in fiber that helps in the prevention of this disease.
3. Good Folate Content
The folates present in okra reduce the neural tube defects in a newborn baby. So, it is highly recommended for women during the preconception period or pregnancy.
4. Vitamin K Benefits
Vitamin K is a co-factor in the blood-clotting process. It also plays a major role in strengthening the bones in our body.
5. Controls Asthma
Asthma can also be treated by including okra/ lady’s fingers in your meals. People diagnosed with asthma are strongly suggested to consume okra.
6. Prevents Constipation
By facilitating the proper absorption of water, okra/ lady’s finger vegetable ensures free motion disposal by the body and, hence, prevents constipation.
7. Prevents Sunstroke
Okra helps prevent sunstrokes.
8. Prevents Colon Cancer
It is believed that all diseases begin in the colon. Adding okra to your meals ensures the prevention of colon cancer and other related diseases to a great extent.
9. Controls Obesity
With the regular usage of okra, in either the raw or the cooked form, you can avoid obesity to a great extent. Obesity is not necessarily due to the consumption of fatty and calorific foods but also due to the lack of nutrients.
10. Controls Cholesterol Level
This vegetable ensures the lesser absorption of cholesterol, preventing heart diseases and ailments occurring due to cholesterol in the blood. Cholesterol is a dominant factor in the body that triggers obesity and heart diseases.
11. Low GI (Glycemic Index) Food
If you are diabetic, your health practitioner will advise you to eat food with low GI value. Okra is one of the foods that come with a GI index of 20 and as per medical standards, the GI value of okra is considered to be very low.
12. Prevents Kidney Diseases
Kidney problems are a threat if you are diagnosed with type-2 diabetes. Almost half of the diseases related to kidneys are caused by diabetes. If you take okra regularly in your diet and okra water as well, it will help prevent kidney diseases.
13. Helps In Digestion
Due to its soluble fiber content, okra helps accelerate the digestive system, improves blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of heart diseases. It is extremely good for the digestive system.
14. Good Source Of Antioxidants
If you take foods rich in antioxidants, it helps prevent cancer, heart diseases, and premature aging. Okra contains a large number of antioxidants like quercetin, catechin, epicatechin, procyanidin and rutin. So, it not only prevents and treats diabetes but a host of other health issues! No doubt it is called a super food!
Skin Benefits Of Okra
15. Dietary Fiber For Healthy Skin
Okra is a rich source of dietary fiber. It also keeps the digestion problems away. Proper digestion reflects through a healthy-looking skin.
16. Vitamin C For Younger Skin
Vitamin C found in okra helps maintain a younger looking skin. It aids in repairing the body tissues. This, in turn, helps keep your skin younger and also makes it look more vibrant.
17. Prevents Skin Pigmentation
The nutrients found in okra actually help prevent skin pigmentation. It is useful for rejuvenating your skin and repairing damages.
Hair Benefits Of Okra
18. Bouncy Hair
If you are tired of your distressed hair, try using okra to get that bounce back. Boil okra with some water and the transparent mucilage that you get can be used to get your bouncy hair back.
19. Hair Conditioner
The same mucilage can be used as a hair conditioner. Wash your hair and squeeze out the excess water. Massage the watery mucilage through your hair and rinse thoroughly with water.
20. Scalp Moisturiser
Okra is an excellent moisturizer for your dry and itchy scalp. It leaves your hair feeling soft and isn’t harmful like the other cosmetics available in the market. It is great for people with unruly, curly and lifeless hair.
21. Fights Dandruff
Okra improves the overall scalp condition and fights dandruff. It moisturizes your scalp and keeps dandruff away.
22. Shiny Hair
Okra, when used as a hair rinse, gives great shine to your hair. You can give your regular conditioner a miss once in a while and take care of your hair the natural way.
Other Benefits Of Okra/Lady’s Finger
23. Improves immunity
24. Improves eyesight
How To Select Good Quality Okra?
Although the topical use of okra does a lot of good, we just cannot ignore how beneficial its intake is. Most of us are left clueless when questioned about how to select good okra. Here is a quick guide to help you understand the selection process better.
Smaller Pods: Always look for smaller pods because they are tender. They taste better than the larger ones, which are tough and stringy too.
Bright Color: Look out for bright green-colored pods. You may also find varieties of burgundy or deep red. Those are also used for cooking purposes, but the green ones are widely used.
Unblemished Pods: While selecting okra, try and look for unblemished ones. These are fresh and are not rotten from inside.
Firmness: Check for the firmness of okra. While the smaller pods are generally tender, they should not be very soft.
How To Store Okra?
Okra should be stored unwashed.
You can store it in a paper bag or simply wrap it in a newspaper. If you don’t have a paper bag, you can also store it in a perforated plastic bag.
Make sure you keep it in the warmest part of your refrigerator. This would help you store it for up to 3 days at least.
Okra tends to decay faster when kept really cold. So, make sure you store it in warmer temperature in your refrigerator.
Simply blanch the whole okra and freeze it, if you want to store it longer.
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