Lady Finger and Health Benefits

Lady Finger

Good Morning Friends!
How are you doing??
Happy Tuesday to us all
This week, we shall be taking a look at the vegetable named okro.

Lady finger also known as okra is green edible pod vegetable which contain high amount of nutrients. Lady fingeint is commonly used in south Asian countries and America also in Africa. It is one of most important vegetable crop in India and commonly use by Indian people in making many dish.

It is a natural thickening agent which is mostly used in curry or other dish with gravy. It is also cut and sliced to be stirred fry, steamed or sauted. Even in Japanese Lady finger is also used as sushi ingredients and tempura. All parts of lady finger plant is edible and the leaves used to be eaten in salad.

The okra name is derived from Nigeria word okwuru then later became ochra and okra. British people callokra
'lady finger' and it has many other names in different parts of the world. Some of them are gumbo in Unites States of America, guini-gumbo in Spain, guibeiro in Portuguese, bhindi in India and banya in Egypt. India is country who produce the most number of okra.

About 3.5 million tonnes or 70% of total production of okra in world is cultivated in India from over 0.35 milllion ha land.

*Healths benefits of Okra*

Lady finger serves many benefits to health and it is one of the super food which should be consumed by people who suffer from diabetes. Beside the great effects of lady finger in prevent and cure diabetes, it has long list of other benefits. Check below explanation to know further

1. Stabilize blood sugar and prevent diabetes

Many research has been established to prove the health benefits of lady fingers and most of them reported that lady fingers has great effect to lowering blood sugar level into normal level. A study by Subrahmanyam which published in International Journal of Research in Pharmacy and Chemistry shown that lady finger fruit extract has anti-diabetic activity and it has significant effect in lowering blood sugar.
According To another study by Sarika Davis and jennifer D’souza from Department of Community Health Nursing, Laxmi Memorial College Of Nursing published in International Journal of Scientific Research proves that lady finger juice is effective in reducing the blood glucose level thus acting as a simple but effective method for diabetes control especially in people which suffer from type 2 diabetes.

2. Get rid of cholesterol

Lady finger contains mucilage which can bind excessive cholesterol and bile acid in effort to carrying toxins dumped into it by the filtering liver. Okra binds excess cholesterol and toxins (in bile acids). Cholesterol is one of unhealthy substance which can cause numerous problems. It has been proved by a study which published harvard health Publication journal that lady finger can lowering blood cholesterol if consumed regularly and it is suggested to replace high fat food with lady finger vegetable.
Lady fingers fiber also assures an easy passage out of waste from the body. It is completely non-toxic, non-habit forming, and has no adverse side effects.

3. Improving capilaries function

With the elimination of cholesterol by the fiber contained in lady finger, it gives good effect to the capilaries and blood vessel function. Fiber throw the cholesterol out of the body and prevent it to stick in capilaries wall which can cause atheroskleresis.

4. Maintain healthy heart and prevent heart disease

Cholesterol removal and the improvement of capilaries function, the heart will at least save from disease. Consuming lady finger give out lots of benefits in keeping healthy heart. Potassium which contained in lady finger is crucial in maintaining heart function and it keeps smooth muscle work properly inside the body.

5. Prevent constipation

Lady finger has bulk laxative quality which helps lubricate the large intestines. The fiber contained in lady finger can absorbs water and ensures bulk in stools. This helps prevent constipation. Unlike other kind of fiber such as harsh wheat bran, which can irritate or injure the intestinal tract or digestion, the mucilage of lady finger is soothing. It also facilitates elimination of waste from the body comfortably by its slippery characteristics.

Thanks for reading.
Article by: T.Praise

Food, Nutrients and Health.