Okra is undeservedly among the unpopular vegetables. However, it is low in calories and has a pleasant specific taste, added to summer dishes. Okra is rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber, which makes it a useful product for constipation and heaviness in the stomach and lack of desire to eat due to the summer heat.
One hundred grams of okra provides us with only 33 calories , but provides us with two thirds of the required daily dose of vitamin K. This vitamin is crucial for blood clotting and bone strength, as it helps absorb calcium. Its intake is important for the prevention of osteoporosis, so the okra can be safely placed in the category of foods to combat it.
Okra is also rich in manganese - the same amount provides the body with half the required daily dose of the trace element. And manganese is involved in metabolism at many different levels: in the metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins, activates some enzymes important for the absorption of vitamins and other nutrients such as vitamin C, biotin, thiamine, choline; catalyst for the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol; also involved in the processes of bone formation and the production of thyroxine and sex hormones ...
Probably vitamin K and manganese attract in okra and vitamin C, folic acid, magnesium, thiamine and vitamin B6 , which makes it useful against a number of conditions that occur due to a sedentary lifestyle.
According to the results of numerous studies, the consumption of okra reduces the risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity, as it has a beneficial effect on blood sugar levels and bad cholesterol .
Due to folic acid and lecithin, okra can be used in diets and for cancer prevention. Folic acid is especially needed by women who are planning a pregnancy by the end of the first trimester. It is important for the proper development of the nervous system of the fetus. For the same reason, to support the proper functioning of the central nervous system is important in alcohol dependence.
Serious studies have shown that lecithin significantly affects the growth of cancer cells - in the treatment of patients with breast cancer, the growth of cancer cells has decreased by 63% and 72% of available cancer cells have been destroyed.
A special quality of the vegetable is that it tones and even beautifies - they say that consumers consume it more often to have an even complexion and healthy hair.
To preserve its nutritional qualities, okra should not be stored for more than 3-4 days in the refrigerator in an envelope.
When consuming it, it should be borne in mind that the presence of fructans can cause diarrhea, flatulence and bloating, especially in people with intestinal disorders. In the presence of irritable bowel syndrome, it is very possible for the okra to irritate.