Have you already enjoyed the unique taste and impressive health benefits of okra? Okra, or lady’s fingers, is a nightshade vegetable with a weird texture and finger-like appearance, that originates from the tropical countries in the Eastern hemisphere.

Okra is a very rich source of potassium, vitamins C and B, folic acid, and numerous other vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.

Dr.Mercola reveals:

” Okra is an excellent fiber source to maintain a healthy digestive system and also contains good amounts of calcium, iron, and magnesium. It also provides 43 percent of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of manganese and 36 percent of the RDA of infection-fighting vitamin C.

One cup of raw okra (100 grams) contains 33 calories and includes a whopping 44 percent of the bone-strengthening vitamin K you need for one day, which is important as a co-factor for blood-clotting enzymes.

Nutrition and You also notes that the folate in okra imparts 22 percent of the RDA in a 1-cup serving, which is important for pregnant mothers to decrease the risk of neural tube defects in their babies.

Vitamin A content in okra, important for good vision and more, includes flavonoid antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, xanthan, and lutein. Other nutrients include thiamin, vitamin B6, calcium, niacin, phosphorus, and copper.”

Therefore, it has numerous beneficial properties, and these are its four major health benefits:

1) Okra Is Rich in Fiber

The high fiber content of okra helps the digestive system and keeps you full longer.

2) Okra Fights Fatigue

Studies have shown that its addition to a daily diet helps one exercise longer without tiring, energizes the body, and also accelerates the recovery process.

3) Okra Lowers Blood Sugar

Researchers have found that okra lowers blood sugar levels in diabetic mice. Moreover, the high fiber content has been shown to be of great help in lowering the risk of diabetes.

4) Okra Reduces Stress Levels

The Scientific World Journal published a study which found that the okra seeds lower stress and relieve tension and anxiety.

To reap the benefits of okra, you can add it to salads, stews, and soups, or make the following healthy drink- okra water.

Soak 3-5 okra pods in a glass of water overnight, and in the morning, either slice them thinly or remove them. Then, enjoy the okra water during the entire day!

Source: theheartysoul.com