Okra is also known as lady’s fingers. It’s a small, green, pointy vegetable. When you boil it, it becomes slimy, making it a good addition for certain soups.
For many years, Okra has been deemed as incredibly healthy for people. It has potassium calcium folic acid, vitamin B, and vitamin C.
It’s both low-calorie and high-fiber.
Okra has been recommended by doctors for managing blood sugar for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
With the rising cases of diabetes worldwide, we have to adapt to more responsible ways of eating.
Correlation between diabetes management and okra still needs a lot more research. One study shows that okra water improved the blood sugar levels of rats that had diabetes.
In Turkey, roasted okra seeds are commonly used to treat diabetes. It’s been studied and proven to have a positive effect in managing blood sugar.
Okra and Dietary Fiber
Okra is rich in fiber. Eight pods are said to contain 3 grams of fiber.
This fiber has many benefits. It helps with digestion, cuts cravings, and keeps us full for long.
Foods that are fiber rich should be part of diabetic people’s diets. Increased dietary fiber is shown to promote better glycemic control and insulin sensitivity.
Okra and Stress
Okra’s seed extracts have been studied to have an antioxidant effect in mice. When you have diabetes, it’s important to manage stress. High stress levels can cause your blood sugar to spike. Mental health has to be prioritized in diabetes treatment. And okra seeds are a great addition to your treatment plan.
Okra has been studied to lower cholesterol levels in diabetic mice. Foods with high fiber such as okra are recommended for people with diabetes. It’s important to start training yourself in liking the flavor of many vegetables, instead of going for potato chips for dinner.
High cholesterol with diabetes doesn’t make for a healthy body.
Okra and Anti-fatigue
They say that fatigue levels can be managed with eating okra. When you add okra into the foods you eat willingly, you not only broaden your food experience, you also get to have a healthy option in your meals.
When you’re less fatigued, you have more time for life-improving activities like walking, jogging, going to the gym, yoga, and other community sports.
Okra Water
You’ve heard of the popular lettuce water. If you’ve had quite enough of that, try okra water. They say it helps with diabetes symptoms. Soak okra in hot water and drink the water. It will make for a unique drinking experience that’s healthy and different.
The gel in okra makes it a great emulsifying agent in soups. You can add it to fish soups with pumpkin and moringa. You can add it to chicken and green papaya soup, as well as prawn and lemon grass soup.
Pickled okra is also another variation.
Metformin and Okra
A study has shown that okra blocks the absorption of metformin. Talk to your doctor if your blood sugar levels are still at a dangerous level if you’re eating okra in excess with medications.
Summary
Okra isn’t necessarily a cure for diabetes. But okra is definitely not a substitute for insulin. But okra has as many health benefits as there are great non-carb food sources.
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