Anemia: Helps red blood cells production and prevent anemia.
Anti-Cancer: The high antioxidants in okra helps protect the immune system against harmful free radicals and prevent mutation of cells.
Asthma: The high antioxidants and vitamin C content make okra useful for reducing asthmatic attacks.
Bone Strength: Folate in okra builds strong bones and density, preventing osteoporosis.
Cholesterol: The soluble fiber helps to lower serum cholesterol, thus also reducing atherosclerosis and the risk of heart diseases.
Constipation: The rich fiber and mucilaginous (slimy) content in okra pods help increase bulk, bind to toxins and ensure easy bowel movements with its natural laxative properties. Regularly eating okra also reduces the risk of colon cancer.
Diabetes: It has insulin-like properties that help to reduce blood sugar level.
Gut flora: The fiber helps improve the population of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
Immune Booster: The high antioxidants and vitamin C content make okra a good immune booster food that reduces your catching the cough and cold.
Peptic Ulcers: The mucilaginous content provides a temporary coating to the digestive tract and stomach lining while healing the ulcers.
Pregnancy: The rich folate content in okra can help decrease the incidence of neural tube defects in babies.
Skin Health: With good bowel movements, skin health will improve. Helps reduce acne, psoriasis and other skin conditions.
Vision Health: Okra contains beta-carotenes (precursor of vitamin A), xanthin and lutein, all antioxidant properties that are helpful for vision health, preventing eye problems like cataract and glaucoma.
Nutrition Facts
a half-cup serving of sliced, cooked okra without any additions has 25 calories, 2 g dietary fiber, about 6 g carbohydrates, 1.5 g protein and healthy amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, folic acid, calcium, potassium and magnesium. As with most vegetables, okra is free of fat, cholesterol and sodium and contains a negligible amount of sugar, making it an ideal diet food.
