We’re going to talk about a vegetable that has been dubbed The Small Wonder, but still fails to get its fair share of attention in the veggie world.
This may be due to the fact that Okra, cooked or raw, doesn’t have some especially delicious flavor, but it’s taste is very intense. However, the taste may not be something special but its health benefits are numerous. Its amazing health benefits are the reason why you should try eating more of this neglected veggie.
Okra abounds in a vitamins, minerals, fibers and antioxidants. Just one cup of okra has 3gr. of fibers, 2gr. of proteins and 8gr. of carbs, but only 40 calories and almost no fat. It also has around 50-100mgr. of folate and magnesium and 20 mgr. of vitamin C. You can see why it’s called the little wonder! You should have his in mind for when you find yourself eating a salad made of 90% iceberg lettuce.
-Fights Asthma Symptoms
People with asthma are faced with a very difficult and uncomfortable condition. If you want to know ow it feels try breathing through a straw one entire day and you’ll see what it’s like. Vitamin C is very beneficial when it comes to relieving asthma symptoms and regular consumption of this vitamin can significantly reduce breathing difficulties. If you’re suffering from this condition you’ll need to consume okra on a regular basis in order to feel the health benefits.
Reduces bad cholesterol
As we mentioned earlier, okra is rich in water-soluble fibers which flush out the cholesterol. It keeps the good cholesterol and flushes out the bad one at the same time.
Boosts Your Immune System
It’s excellent at upping your blood cells number and fighting infections, bacteria and viruses. This is all thanks to the high levels of vitamin C.
Dials down diabetes
Diabetics need to ingest more water-soluble fibers in order to normalize their blood glucose levels. Laboratory studies revealed that okra can reduce the glucose absorption level. This caused a drop in blood sugar levels which was the intended effect.
Helps digestion
The high content of fibers along with the magnesium makes okra a popular ally in the digestion process. Fibers promote healthy digestion and waste disposal while magnesium improves circulation.
Prevents Kidney damage
Recent studies have shown that okra has the ability to reduce and stabilize the sugar levels in the blood and prevent kidney damage.
Assists healthy pregnancy
Okra is rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, folic acid and traces of zinc and calcium, which makes it excellent for pregnant women. Moreover, it can eliminate pregnancy constipation, so all you future mommies go ahead and enjoy this healthy snack!
Source: http://www.mrhealthylife.com/
