Okra water: Helps lessen diabetes symptoms
Some research exists on okra water, however, it may be linked to several health benefits due to its plant compounds and hydrating effects.
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Okra peel is the most traditional way to use okra medicinally.
In the preliminary studies (Khatun et al. 2011) conducted to investigate the benefits of using okra, using shredded okra peel was seen to be the most favourable way to ingest it.
Two studies (Carr and Maggini, 2017; DiNicolantonio et al. 2015) found that okra is a good source of vitamins C and K1.
Vitamin C is a water-soluble nutrient that aids holistic immune function, and vitamin K1 is a fat-soluble vitamin that’s known for its role in blood clotting.
Moreover, okra is low in calories and carbs and contains some protein and fiber.
Numerous fruits and vegetables lack protein, which makes okra somewhat unique.
Eating enough protein is linked with weight management, blood sugar control, bone structure, and muscle mass (Pasiakos SM, 2015; Devries and Phillips, 2015).
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Antioxidants
Okra is loaded with numerous antioxidants.
One study (Xia et al. 2015) found that the main antioxidants in okra are polyphenols, including flavonoids and isoquercetin, as well as vitamins A and C.
Tressera-Rimbau et al.(2017) note that eating a diet high in polyphenols may improve heart health by lowering the risk of blood clots and oxidative damage.
It may also support brain health as it can penetrate the brain and protect against inflammation (Sarubbo et al. 2018), enhance symptoms of aging and improve cognition, learning, and memory.
Decreases heart
diseases risk
The thick-gel nature of okra called mucilage plays an important role as it binds cholesterol during digestion, triggering the elimination of it from the body.
In an eight-week duration study by Wang et al.(2014), mice were randomly separated into three groups and given a high-fat diet containing one or two per cent okra powder or a high-fat diet without okra powder.
It was found that the mice on the okra diet got rid of extra cholesterol in their stools and had decreased total blood cholesterol levels than the control group.
Okra also contains polyphenols. For instance, Medina-Remón et al.(2017) conducted a four-year study on 1,100 people and found that those who ate a diet rich in polyphenols had reduced inflammatory markers linked with heart disease.
Two studies (Kuruwitaarachchige et al. 2018; Nuhu et al. 2020) found that okra water has bioactive compounds that can reduce the levels of heightened lipids (fats) in the blood.
They held that crude okra water extract reduced different lipid fractions (total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL) and atherogenic index (a measure of cardiovascular risk).
Hence, okra water extract modulates cholesterol levels in the blood.
This reduces the risk of heart diseases such as atherosclerosis (the buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on your artery walls).
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Recent studies (Peter et al. 2021; Weng et al. 2020; Jain et al. 2018; Kalyani K, 2017) found aqueous (water) extracts of okra to decrease blood sugar levels and increased insulin secretion in diabetic rats.
These studies provide scientific evidence for its effectiveness.
Also, roasted okra seeds, have been studied and proven to have a positive effect on lowering blood sugar (Thanakosai and Phuwapraisirisan, 2013).
Take home
Few studies have been conducted on okra water and its impact on our health.
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Drinking okra water solution is a quick and simple way to derive the benefits of okra without eating it.
It is common to drink okra water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
Proponents claim that this maximises its potential health benefits.
However, no research supports the claim that okra water is more beneficial in the morning than at other times of the day.
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Therefore, you can enjoy okra water whenever it works best for you.
The writer is President, Nyarkotey College of Holistic Medicine & Technology (NUCHMT)/African Naturopathic Foundation.
He adheres to strict sourcing, studies and academic papers in his articles, which are for educational purposes only and not medical advice for treatment.
E-mail: collegeofholisticmedicine@gmail.com.