1. Enhances Brain Health

Okra has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties that may help treat anti-neuroinflammatory diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, which are mediated by microglial cells.

2. Promote Eye Health

Okra is high in Vitamin A and beta-carotene, both of which are antioxidants that can help prevent age-related vision problems like Macular Degeneration and Cataracts.

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The presence of vitamins A and C in okra also helps to support healthy tissues in the eyes and mucous membranes, protecting against health problems associated with eye infections.

3. Strengthen Your Bones

Okra is a great source of calcium and vitamin K, which can protect against osteoporosis and slow down bone loss.

In fact, according to reports, okra hydrocolloids have the potential to serve as a foundation for the development of prosthetics and scaffolds for bone and cartilage engineering.

4. Help With Weight Loss

Foods that are high in fiber, such as okra, take longer to digest than foods that are low in fiber. As a result, they stay in your stomach for longer, making you feel fuller for longer. This means you’ll be less likely to experience hunger pangs or snack cravings in between meals.

Unlike most fruits and vegetables, okra is low in calories and high in protein. This means you can add another spoonful to your dish and still see the numbers on the scale fall.

5. Great For Digestion

Okra is high in insoluble fiber, which is essential for maintaining healthy digestion. Fiber helps to bulk up your stool and promotes waste movement through your intestines. This can help prevent constipation and other digestive issues like bloating and gas.

Furthermore, okra has a gastroprotective effect against ethanol and may help to prevent gastric ulcers.

6. Help Control Cholesterol Levels

Okra contains mucilage, a type of soluble fiber that aids in cholesterol reduction.

Mucilage binds to bile acids in the digestive tract and transports them out of the body, forcing the liver to use cholesterol to produce more bile acids. This procedure can aid in the reduction of total cholesterol levels.

7. Help Prevent Cancer

Okra is high in antioxidants, which are compounds that help prevent cell and DNA damage by neutralizing harmful free radicals. This can help to reduce the risk of cancer cell development.

Okra also contains lectins, which are proteins that have anti-cancer properties. Lectins have the ability to inhibit cancer cell growth and induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in cancer cells.

8. Boost the Immune System

Okra has a high fiber content, which can aid in the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. A healthy gut microbiome is necessary for a robust immune system.

Okra is also high in vitamin C, which helps the body produce white blood cells to fight infections, and high in antioxidants such as polyphenols and flavonoids, which help to protect cells from damage and support the immune system.

9. Stabilize Blood Sugar Levels

Because okra contains soluble fiber, which slows the absorption of sugar from your intestines, it helps to prevent blood sugar spikes and promotes more stable blood sugar levels, as well as preventing diabetes.^[11]

10. Good For Your Skin And Hair

Okra is a great moisturizer for dry and itchy scalps, leaving hair soft, bouncy, and shiny.

Vitamin C, which is present in okra, helps in tissue repair and preserves the appearance of young skin. This, in turn, helps to keep your skin younger and more vibrant.

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