Okro or okra is known in many English- speaking countries as ladies' fingers because the pods are long and shaped like a lady's finger. Its scientific name is Abelmoschus esculentus. It is a good source of vitamins, minerals, fibre, and antioxidants.
As a vegetable, okra may be prepared like asparagus, sauteed or pickled. A large amount of mucilage it contains makes it useful as a thickener for soups. Okra flowers usually bloom for less than a day before it drops off the plant.
As much as there are benefits to eating this crop, too much isn't so good because there are side effects.
Let's start with the side effects;
Okra contains fructans, a type of carbohydrate. This can cause diarrhoea, gas, cramping and bloating especially to those with bowel problems. It can also cause gout and kidney stones because okra is high in oxalates which prevent your body from absorbing beneficial nutrients in your digestive tract.
Benefits of Okra
Okra helps control obesity or fat. Eating okra makes one full for a long time because it is rich in fibre.
Okra is low in calories.
Okra provides support to cells to fight off cancer.
Okra improves cardiac function and lowers bad cholesterol.
Okra contains Vitamin C which helps repair body tissues and helps your skin look younger.
Okra strengthens the bone and improves eye health because it contains Vitamin A, K and folates.
Okra helps control blood sugar levels.
Okra helps control asthma and strengthens immunity.
Okra improves fertility in women and gives prenatal support because it is high in folate which is good for the brain development of fetuses.
In as much as okra has this many benefits, don't eat in excess but in moderation because of its side effect stated earlier.
On a side note, I just made some delicious okra soup this evening. Bon appetite as the French say.
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