THE OKRA : Features and Benefits

Posted on February 21, 2014 by john in Benefits of fruit

Okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus ) is a plant of the Malvaceae family.

Depending on the country is called differently : okra, okra, okra, okra, or gumbo bamia. It is known for its edible fruit with green seeds. This plant has been cultivated for centuries and that belongs to the same plant family as hibiscus and cocoa.

Okra is native to Africa and was a very popular food in Egypt in the time of Cleopatra. It later spread to the rest of the world. Today, the okra is a popular vegetable. In this article we look at the health benefits of okra and nutritional qualities.

Nutritional value of okra :
First, it is very low in calories ( 30 calories per 100 g). Furthermore, okra contains no saturated fat and cholesterol. Okra is a good source of dietary fiber, minerals such as potassium, zinc, calcium, iron and magnesium. It also contains proteins, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B9 and vitamin B6. According to experts okra is a very good food for pregnant women as it prevents birth defects.

Health Benefits of Okra :
1. Okra is good for preventing diabetes. Dietary fiber helps stabilize blood sugar levels in the blood. Regular consumption of okra can help improve diabetes.

2. Okra is known to lower cholesterol. Dietary fiber in okra is useful in lowering cholesterol levels. It also reduces triglyceride levels.

3. It is a good food for the digestive system. Regulates and HELP the toxins can be expelled from the body ‘s digestive system.

4. Okra prevents arteriosclerosis. Containing vitamin C protects against oxidative damage of the cells, thereby preventing damage to the blood vessels and plaque accumulation.

5. Insoluble fiber is good for the intestinal tract, which is useful to prevent colon cancer or colorectal cancer.

6. The laxative properties, fiber and water content, are very good to prevent constipation. Pectin -rich foods like okra are good for constipation.

7. The antioxidant properties of okra make it a very good health food vision. Vitamin A is important for the skin too.

8. Okra helps treat lung inflammation and cancer, but also helps to treat cancers of the oral cavity.

9. The folate content of okra is responsible for preventing birth defects. It is a recommended vegetable during the preconception period.

10. It is said that okra is a good food for the brain or mind. This helps to lift depression, exhaustion and mental weakness.

11. Okra seeds containing oleic acid ( the same fatty acid found in olive oil and canola oil ), which is excellent in reducing blood pressure.

12. It is a good food to relieve joint pains. Okra is considered a good food for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and fibromyalgia.

13. It is a good food for leaky gut syndrome. Helps soothe and coat the intestinal lining that helps treat leaky gut.

14. It is a vegetable that helps to cure many digestive disorders and can prevent stomach ulcers too. The alkaline pH of the neutralized okra digestive acids and prevents gastro- intestinal ulcers.

15. As pulmonary inflammation can also treat sore throat.

16. May be the complex replacement of human blood plasma.

17. Vitamin C helps build immunity and prevents colds, flu and infections.

18. Okra is good for weight loss. That means okra helps you lose weight and maintain it. High in fiber remains full for a longer time. The low glycemic index of okra also helps in weight loss.

19. Antioxidant and anti - inflammatory properties of okra makes a good food for asthma. Help prevent the risk of developing asthma.

20. It is a good food for summer and treats and prevents heat stroke.

21. It is good for the dissemination of good bacteria or probiotics vegetables.

22. It is a very good skin food. Vitamin C plays an important role in it. Antioxidants protect inflammatory and skin diseases such as skin staining properties pimples.

23. Okra is good for the eyes and reduces the risk of developing cataracts. Foods rich in lutein are great to protect eye problems and diseases such as cataracts, macular degeneration and macular degeneration (ARMD ). Okra can preserve vision and protects eye problems.

24. Regular consumption of okra provides protection against trans fats.

Vitamin K in okra
According to the USDA, okra contains high levels of vitamin K. Vitamin K helps in blood clotting, protects the heart from coronary heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Vitamin K okra is good for bone structure also.