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People have been growing okra in the U.S. Okra was apparently discovered in the Abyssinian center of origin of cultivated plants, an area that includes present-day Ethiopia, the mountainous or plateau portion of Eritrea, and the eastern, higher part of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. This gooey aspect of the pods actually provides some really incredible benefits, especially those related to prevention of diabetes (more on that later). That mucilage or “slime” inside of the pods consists of exopolysacharrides and glycoproteins. The inside of pods contain oval, dark-colored seeds and a good amount of mucilage, which is a gelatinous substance that makes it a great addition to recipes that you want to thicken. The only parts of the plant that is eaten are the unripe pods or fruit. Is okra a fruit or vegetable? It’s technically a fruit because it contains seeds, but it’s most commonly considered a vegetable, especially when it comes to culinary uses. This plant is native native to Africa and the tropics of the Eastern Hemisphere.
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Okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus) is a hairy plant that belongs to the mallow family ( Malvaceae). Let’s start off with the most basic question: What is okra? No matter how you enjoy it most, it’s a good source of fiber, B vitamins, magnesium, folate and more. Okra has many interesting uses and is known to be an economically important vegetable crop because its fresh leaves, buds, flowers, pods, stems and seeds all have value. It can be used in salads, stews, fresh or dried, and fried or boiled. The plant itself resembles the cotton plant, but it has much larger and rougher leaves and a thicker stem. The whole plant has an aromatic smell resembling that of cloves. When we think of okra we usually think of Southern cooking, including cajun and creole cuisine, but did you know that this veggie also has numerous nutrition benefits too?Ĭonsidered an edible ornamental flowering hibiscus, okra is an annual, erect herb with stems that contain stiff hairs. Wash two pieces, medium size and young Okra.Okra, both a common pod vegetable and nightshade vegetable (but it’s actually a fruit!), is also called “gumbo” in the U.S.I was impressed with the effects of fresh Okra tea in him that I decided to try it, well alright, my other “excuse” why I am preparing fresh tea is because, lately I’m too busy to cook yet I need my regualr intake of Okra. He also became active and alert physically and mentally as compared before, simply because he has been drinking fresh Okra tea every morning as alternative to coffee.
#HEALTH BENEFITS OF OKRA SKIN#
His skin used to be dry and dull and he looked old for his age due to stress, but it became more supple, plump and healthy looking. Furthermore, I noticed that the skin of a relative I haven’t seen for several years have improved. So, if Okra is used in many dishes, you might be wondering why make tea out of it? The answer is one cup of fresh Okra would give me those vitamins and minerals that my body needed compared to cooked fruit. Okra may also lower risk on heart diseases because it contains a thick gel-like substance called mucilage, which can bind to cholesterol during digestion, causing it to be excreted with stools rather than absorbed into your body. Okra is rich in antioxidants polyphenols, flavonoids and isoquercetin, as well as vitamins that may reduce risk of serious diseases, prevent inflammation, and contribute to overall health. Okra is very rich in nutrients, a very good source vitamins C and K1, one cup of raw Okra contains the following:
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#HEALTH BENEFITS OF OKRA FULL#
In spite of the fact that Okra can be unappealing, its is packed with nutrition according this article posted on Healthline I have listed below the most important health benefits of Okra but I also suggest that you read the full article because it has references to prove the claims. Aside form Filipino cuisine, I also like to cook Bhindi Masala which is an Indian dish. Okra is one of the ingredients in Filipino dishes like Pinakbet, Diningding or Sinigang although the simplest way to consume it is to steam the fruit and dip in shrimp paste. The fruit when cooked has a slimy texture, which makes it unpopular to most people, I however love Okra regardless if it is slimy. The most popular variety in this country is the green colored compared to the red one. It is a flowering plant with edible seed pods and usually cultivated in warm and tropical climates, in countries like the Philippines.
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Okra also referred to as Lady’s Finger, Gumbo or Bhindi is biologically categorized as a fruit although popularly utilized as vegetable.
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