The worldwide used versatile vegetable called okra is characterized by green color, elongated and tapering ridged pods infused with double row of seeds and slimy texture when cut open. This integral member of the cotton family is indigenous to regions around the Nile in North Africa and the Middle East for it was discovered dating as far as 3500 years ago in Ethiopia. Early Egyptians are known to love its taste. Okra later transcended to North America enroute slave trade and then to Europe, Asia and South and Central America.
Benefits
Besides being low in calories it is aplenty with vitamins of the category A,
Thiamin, B6, C, folic acid, riboflavin, calcium, zinc and dietary fiber. Eating
okra is much recommended for pregnant woman besides other for it is rich in
folic acid which is essential in the neural tube formation of the fetus during
4-12 weeks of gestation period in the mother's womb.
The mucilage and fiber found in okra helps adjust blood sugar by
regulating its absorption in the small intestine.
The fiber of okra has many superior qualities in maintaining the health
of the gastro-intestinal tract.
It helps reabsorb water and traps excess cholesterol, metabolic toxins
and surplus bile in its mucilage and slips it out through the stool. Due to
greater percentage of water in the bulk it thereby prevents constipation,
gas and bloating in the abdomen.
It is an ideal vegetable for weight loss and is storehouse of health
benefits provided it is cooked over low flame to retain its properties. This
also to ensure that the invaluable mucilage contained in it is not lost to
high heat.
Okra facilitates the propagation of good bacteria referred to as
probiotics. These are similar to the ones proliferate by the yoghurt in the
small intestine and helps biosynthesis of Vitamin B complex.
For adding bounce your hair. Boil horizontally sliced okra till the brew
become maximally slimy. Cool it and add a few droops of lemon and use this
as the last rinse and see your hair spring back to youthfulness and jump.
Okra is an excellent laxative treats irritable bowels, heals ulcers and
sooths the gastrointestinal track.
Protein and oil contained in the seeds of okra serves as the source of
first-rate vegetable protein. It is enriched with amino acids on the likes
of tryptophan, cystine and other sulfur amino acids.
