Okra, also known as “lady’s finger”, or “bamia” is one of the popular nutritious vegetables. Characterized by its green color, elongated and tapering ridged pods infused with double row of seeds and slimy texture when cut open, okra is known as a worldwide versatile vegetable, that is available the whole year round.
Studies show that a single cup of raw okra contains vitamins and minerals that is required to achieve optimal health.
So, whether you consume okra stewed, boiled, fried, or even in pickled form, you can reap the health benefits of this little green vegetable any time of the year. Here’s a list of okra health benefits:
Immune System Booster
Okra is loaded in vitamin C and antioxidant components that serves as immune boosters against unsafe free radicals, while also supporting the immune system. Vitamin C stimulates the immune system to create more white blood cells, which can help battle other foreign pathogens and materials in the body.
It also binds to cholesterol in other foods so that it can be excreted along with other wastes. In turn, total cholesterol levels plummet, according to the Harvard Health Publications. Okra also helps to lower bad cholesterol levels by replacing all the foods you eat with high fat and cholesterol levels.
Manages Diabetes
Soluble fiber can help diabetic patients stabilize their blood sugar levels because okra affects how sugar is absorbed in the intestines.
According to a 2011 study published in the journal ISRN Pharmaceutics, researchers soaked sliced okra pods in water and then gave rats the solution through a gastric feeding tube. As a result, the researchers found out that okra helped reduce the absorption rate of glucose and in turn reduced blood sugar levels in the treated rats.
Prevents Kidney Disease
According to a 2005 study published in the Jilin Medical Journal, patients who ate okra daily has reduced clinical signs of kidney damage more than those who were on a diabetic diet. This is helpful since nearly half of kidney disease cases develop from diabetes. Hence, eating okra on a regular basis can be helpful for preventing kidney disease. 
Promotes Healthy Pregnancy
One okra health benefits include: high levels of vitamin A, B vitamins (B1, B2, B6), and traces of zinc and calcium, make it an ideal vegetable to eat during pregnancy. Okra also serves as a supplement for fiber and folic acid. This helps prevent birth defects like spina bifida and can even stop constipation during pregnancy.
With all the good stuff mentioned above, this makes okra a nutrition hero and a very available food when it comes to our health.
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