Why add okro to your meals?

Sometimes called “lady’s finger,” okro is a flowering plant with edible seed pods.

 It grows best in warm climates and is often cultivated in Africa and South of Asia. It is low in calories but full of nutrients. The Vitamin C in okro helps support healthy immune function.

 Okro is also rich in Vitamin K, which helps in the clotting of blood. Some of the other health benefits of okro include:

Fights cancer

Antioxidants are natural compounds that help the body fight off molecules called free radicals that can damage cells. Free radicals are well known for causing oxidation damage which can eventually lead to cancer.

Okro contains antioxidants called polyphenols, including Vitamins A and C. It also contains a protein called lectin which may inhibit cancer cell growth in humans. Studies using concentrated compounds from okro showed they inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells by up to 63 per cent.

Controls blood sugar

Various studies have shown that okro may help control blood sugar levels. Researchers believe okro may help prevent sugar from being absorbed during digestion. In one study, rats given purified okra and liquid sugar had fewer blood sugar spikes than rats in the control group.  

Prenatal support

One cup of okro has 15 per cent of the daily value of folate, a helpful nutrient for pregnant women. Folate helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects which can affect the brain and spine of developing foetuses

Supports brain health

Polyphenols decrease the risk of heart problems and stroke by preventing blood clots and reducing free radical damage. The antioxidants in okro may also benefit the brain by reducing brain inflammation.

Credits: www.webmd.com