QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News Service, June 19) – At first, I don’t really like eating okra. I’m sure many of you will agree that the slimy feeling is very off-putting.
But when I found out that okra is very effective in helping one to lose weight, I became an instant fan of this vegetable.
It is touted as the ideal vegetable for weight loss and the main reasons are: Okra is low in calories and it is rich in fiber.
Okra is also very rich in nutrients that are specially good for the body. Fresh okra is a good source of folate. Also, okra is rich in minerals like potassium, zinc, iron, magnesium and calcium. It is also a good source of vitamin A and vitamin C.
Okra has high levels of vitamin K which helps with blood clots, and helps protect from coronary disease, strokes and type 2 diabetes.
As mentioned earlier, okra is rich in fiber. The fiber found in okra acts as a fuel for the good bacteria found in our bellies which aids in the digestion of fat. The fiber helps transport the fat out of the body and at the same time help regulate blood sugar.
Okra also has the ability to absorb water which means that when you eat okra, it traps excess cholesterol, bile and toxins and helps you eliminate them through normal body processes. Okra is also a great help in preventing constipation, bloating and gas.
And that okra slime that many love to hate? It actually provides many health benefits. It binds and inhibit our bodies’ absorption of cholesterol, bile and toxins. It also alleviates the effects cause by cough and common cold.
So next time someone serves you vegetables, don’t skip on the okra!
(ENS, written by Jay Paul Carlos,with additional research of Lovely Ann Cruz)