Okra: The vegetable that helps you reduce cholesterol: it contains fiber and mucilage
Consuming vegetables is basic if we want to take care of our health and reach adulthood in the best possible way. That is why it is essential to have a varied diet in which we incorporate these products on a daily basis.
In addition, the world of vegetables is very wide, something that means that in it we can find thousands of vegetables and plants whose consumption is good for our health. But, this great variety of foods means that many times we overlook some that can be especially good for the body, as is the case with okra .
But, don’t worry, if you want to know more about this vegetable and how its consumption can help you at a health level, we encourage you to continue reading because we are going to tell you about it below.
Okra: what is it and what are its properties
Within the world of plants and vegetables we can find a wide variety of products that can be very beneficial for our health, although sometimes we are unaware of the use of some of them and this is something that happens with Okra. This vegetable, also known as ñajú or okra , comes from the malvaceae family and has a gelatinous texture, something that makes it widely used in gastronomy as a thickener for soups and sauces.
But its fame is due to the fact that it has many antioxidant properties that help us delay aging in addition to promoting weight loss and reducing stress. As you can see, it is a very beneficial vegetable, but if you want to know all the benefits that the consumption of this vegetable can bring us, the best thing is that you continue reading because we are going to tell you about them below.
1. Delays aging
As with other products such as blueberries or avocado, okra is a great ally that helps us fight free radicals that are the cause of cell aging.
This is because within its pods and seeds there are different antioxidants such as flavonoids , phenolic compounds and polyphenols . These types of elements help our body by delaying the signs of aging not only at the body level but also in relation to our brain, something that improves the cognitive processes that we carry out in our day to day.
But in addition, this vegetable is also rich in beta carotene and vitamins of type A, B and C. Different elements that help us protect our skin from the sun’s rays , promote tissue repair and, in general, provide greater care to it.
2. It helps us with weight loss
The second interesting aspect in relation to this substance is that it helps us lose weight thanks to its low caloric content and its high amount of nutrients, something that allows us to lose weight while maintaining our health in the best possible conditions.
But, in addition, this vegetable also has a high fiber content , which increases the feeling of satiety when eating it. All this will make it even easier for us to reduce our food intake, achieving our goal of losing weight.
3. Control our blood sugar levels
The third interesting point of this vegetable is that it helps us regulate our blood sugar levels , something that is essential for people who suffer from diseases such as diabetes or who are at risk of doing so.
This occurs thanks to the fibers present in it, which help us regulate the rate of absorption of sugar at the intestinal level.
4. Reduce stress
It may be curious, but the truth is that okra also helps us reduce stress thanks to its magnesium content .
This favors relaxation and allows us to control to a greater extent the states of anxiety that accompany us on some occasions.
5. It allows us to control cholesterol
The fiber present in okra, in addition to helping us control the absorption of sugars, also helps us with the absorption of fats. Something that reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
In addition, okra contains a substance called mucilage that helps reduce bad cholesterol levels since it binds to it, causing it to be expelled instead of being absorbed by the body.
Finally, polyphenols are also beneficial in this regard as they reduce the anti-inflammatory markers that are associated with heart disease, thus making it more difficult for us to suffer from it tomorrow.
6. Improve our vision
Another benefit of okra is that it helps us improve the health of our eyes because it is rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene , two essential elements for it and that also favor the care of our skin.
7. Maintains the health of our bones
This vegetable is also high in calcium and vitamin K so it helps us with bone formation and also makes our bones remain strong.
On the other hand, it also contains elements that facilitate the absorption of iron , making it an excellent remedy to prevent some problems such as anemia .
8. Avoid constipation
Finally, it is also important to highlight the fact that okra helps us improve intestinal transit thanks to the large presence of fibers in its composition. This prevents constipation and makes it easier for us to eliminate certain toxins from our body.
But, in addition, according to various studies, it could also help inhibit the adhesion of Helicobacter Pylori bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, thus reducing the risk of certain diseases such as gastritis or ulcers that often occur in the digestive system.
As you can see, okra is a vegetable that has multiple benefits for our health and that is why it is important that we include it regularly in our diet. You will see how if you do it you will begin to enjoy its results quickly.
About The Author
