Miraculous OKRA for Diabetes

The Amazing Health Benefits of Okra

Okra, also known as lady’s fingers, bamia, bhindi or gumbo, is a plant of the tropical and warm climates that produces edible green pods. The slightly immature pods are handpicked and prepared in different ways to compliment the traditional diets of many cultures. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is believed to possess an abundance of health benefits, and there is ongoing research into its potential to help manage diabetes.



Get to know this popular vegetable and learn how to choose and use its seedy pods to preserve their rich nutritional value.

10 Health Benefits of Eating Okra

It’s low on calories – bamia pods contain only 30 calories per 100 grams and are often recommended as a part of a weight-loss program.

It contains no saturated fats or cholesterol.

It can help stabilize blood sugar levels by slowing its absorption from the intestines – see below for more details on okra consumption and diabetes. There are other 12 foods that control type 2 diabetes.

It contains lots of dietary fiber and acts as a natural laxative which can help you to naturally get rid of constipation. The pods are rich in mucilage substance, which is a thick, gluey substance that lubricates the large intestine and helps with elimination. Okra’s fiber also feeds the gut’s beneficial bacteria (probiotics) and helps maintain the pH balance of your digestive tract.

It’s rich in vitamin A and other antioxidants – the green pods contain beta-carotene, lutein and xanthine, which together with vitamin A help preserve good vision and keep your skin fresh and healthy. Okra has been connected to cataract prevention and is praised for preventing spots and pimples.

Due to the abundance of antioxidants and fiber, some also connect okra with cancer prevention, especially the prevention of colorectal cancer. There are other steps that you can take to prevent colorectal cancer and there are 14 foods that can protect against cancer development in addition to okra.

It’s a rich source of vitamin C, which helps with the body’s immunity – okra has been linked to cough and cold prevention. Since vitamin C also act as an anti-inflammatory, okra might be good for reducing the symptoms of asthma and can be used in addition to these 10 natural treatments for asthma.

It contains folates – 100 grams of okra provides about 22% of the recommended daily amount. Folates (folic acid) are particularly important in the pre-conception period and during early gestation and help prevent birth defects. Foods with folate are can also help to cleanse your lungs.

It’s a good source of minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium (find out if you are magnesium deficient) and manganese.

It contains vitamin K, which is important for bone health and plays a major role in blood clotting.

Research on Okra and Diabetes

Particularly interesting is the research into the potential of okra in the treatment of diabetes. The studies have only been done on animal models so far and it’s too early to draw any conclusions, but the preliminary findings are promising.

In 2011, researchers tested okra on rats with diabetes (published in ISRN Pharmaceutics). The pods were soaked in water and one group of rats was given the solution, while the control group received a solution of Na-carboxymethylcellulose (CMC – cellulose gum; a cellulose derivative often used as a thickener). The results showed that lady’s fingers helped reduce the absorption of glucose and lowered blood sugar levels in rats.

Another study on rats was conducted in 2011 and provided similar results (published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciencies). This time rats were fed powdered okra seeds and peel extracts for 28 days. A significant reduction in blood sugar levels was observed compared to rats that did not receive the powder. The seed extract provided higher reduction in blood sugar than the peels, and it was established that even high doses were safe for rats (a dose of 2,000 milligrams per kilogram was used). In addition, scientists noted that okra helped reduce elevated lipids (fats) and that the lipid profile returned to near normal.

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