The Gombo, a vegetable that wants you well

Okra plant (Lady`s Finger) with fruit

Known under several names: okra, gombo, bamya … this vegetable is gaining popularity in the medical field. Some of you may have heard about the nutritional benefits of okra, but few know about its medicinal properties.
So if you are wondering what valuable benefits to include okra in your diet, we will deliver all the answers in this article.

Relieves asthma
Consuming small amounts of fruits or vegetables rich in vitamin C, such as okra (21 mg per cup), can help relieve the symptoms of asthma. A study published in the professional journal “Thorax” revealed that citrus or kiwi intake provides a high protection against wheezing in the child. The protective effect was observed in children consuming fruit twice a week.

Lowers Cholesterol
Okra not only promotes good digestive health, but also allows a better level of cholesterol because of its high content of soluble dietary fiber. Soluble fibers can be dissolved in water, which means they decompose in the digestive tract. There, the cholesterol also binds to other foods so that it can be eliminated along with other wastes, thereby lowering the cholesterol level in the blood.
According to “Harvard Health”, okra helps reduce cholesterol from foods high in saturated fat and bad cholesterol that you eat. “It does not contain cholesterol, and it is low in fat.”

Helps reduce blood sugar levels
The fibers found in okra can help diabetes because of their ability to stabilize blood sugar levels. According to a study published in the journal “ISRN Pharmaceutics” in 2011, rats that received okra extract had a significant reduction in their sugar level compared to the control group.
The result is a significant reduction in blood glucose levels and a standardized lipid profile.

Stimulates the immune system.
Its rich content of vitamin C and antioxidants supports your immune system. Vitamin C stimulates the immune system to create more white blood cells, which can help fight pathogens and foreign matter. Studies published in 2010 and 2011 in the Nutrition Journal and the African biotechnology journal indicate that okra has a higher concentration of antioxidant compounds than other rich vegetables, which increases its beneficial effect on health.

Prevents kidney disease.
Eating okra regularly can be helpful in preventing kidney disease. A study published in the “Jilin Medical Journal” found that patients who eat gumbo daily have fewer clinical signs of kidney damage than those who were on diabetic diet.

Promotes pregnancy in good shape.
High levels of vitamin A, B (B2, B3, B6, B9), vitamin C, and traces of copper, iron, manganese, magnesium and calcium make okra an ideal food to eat during pregnancy. Okra provides a supplement of fiber and folic acid that helps prevent birth defects such as “Spina-bifida” and can even help you avoid constipation during pregnancy.
The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that women who consume a lot of okrapending their pregnancy are less likely to have a child with congenital deformities.
But its beneficial effects on health do not stop there since it is also attributed antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, laxative, digestive, and antispasmodic properties.