Okra or otherwise known as ladies’ fingers is a flowering plant in the mallow family, alongside cotton, durian, and cacao. Okra is popular and valued for its edible green seed pods. This interesting plant is cultivated in tropical and warm temperate regions around the world. It can be eaten raw, boiled, cooked, baked, steamed or fried. It has a number of healthy nutrition elements, such as Vitamin C, B, A, K, folic acid, potassium, magnesium, manganese, and calcium.

It is rich in dietary fiber and it is low in calories. Some people often avoid okra because of its slimy texture, but this can be avoided if the okra is cooked with something acidic, like lemon juice or vinegar.

Okra provides a variety of health benefits including;

  • Prevents Diabetes

Okra is a great source of dietary fiber and many vitamins and minerals, which proves beneficial in managing the blood sugar in the body, therefore reducing the risk of diabetes.

  • Healthy Pregnancy

Folic acid is known for producing new cells in the body and okra proves to be an excellent source of all the vitamins from the B group, especially folic acid. The folic acid helps maintain a healthy pregnancy and prevents birth defects. Another important vitamin essential for fetal development is Vitamin C, and okra is rich in both Folic acid and Vitamin C.

  • Improves Kidney Function

All the compounds that okra provides, if consumed regularly, can help reduce clinical signs of kidney problems, and kidney damage.

Drinking okra water will aid the kidneys to successfully remove toxins from the body while providing healthy nutrients essential for the kidneys and their proper function.

  • Radiant Skin

The high amount of Vitamin C found in okra helps the skin look vibrant, smooth and healthy.

It improves the tissue and collagen formation, as well as it revitalizes damaged skin.

Face okra mask can be made by boiling 2 okras until soft, mashing them and applying on the face.

For daily consumption of okra, it would be easier to make a healthy okra potion, which will allow you to feel the benefits without having to worry about eating and cooking okra every day.

You will need 2 large okras, cut in equal pieces, placed in a jar, and covered with water. Leave the jar overnight and drink one cup each morning before breakfast.