- It contains a high level of antioxidants which help in dealing with the free radicals that cause oxidative damage to the body tissues.
The major antioxidants in okra water include polyphenols, flavonoids, and Vitamins like Vitamins A and C. These antioxidants help to enhance the health of the heart, consequently reducing the rate at which your blood clots. It also helps to get rid of damages that occur as a result of oxidation by the free radicals. The polyphenols also help to keep your brain in shape as they help to prevent the inflammation of the cells there. This way, you age less, and have an improved memory.
- Okra water will help to lower the risks of you having a heart disease
What causes heart diseases most of the time is the presence of higher levels of cholesterol. Okra has a thick jelly constituent called mucilage that binds to cholesterol, causing it to be passed out with stools, instead of it to be absorbed with your body.
- Okra water may work to fight against the occurrence of cancer in the body
This resistance offered by okra water is as a result of a protein it contains; lectin, which works to stop the growth of cancerous cells. In one of the tests carried out, it was observed that the extract led to the death of the cancerous cells.
- Okra water may work in reducing the level of sugar in the blood
High level of sugar in the blood most often leads to diabetes; type-2 diabetes. When a research was conducted on mice, it was observed that their blood sugar levels decreases substantially. However, you should note that okra water is not biologically compatible with
Metformin, a medication that is mostly used by diabetic patients. In such cases, you should do away with okra water.
- It is good for pregnant women
One nutrient that is very important for women is folic acid. It usually helps to reduce the risk of a neural tube defect which affects the brain of the embryo. That is why most pregnant women are advised to consume as much as 400mcg of folic acid every day. One good source of this folic acid is okra, as it provides about 15% of this requirement.