Diabetes prevention: How is okra beneficial for Diabetes? Can it help lower blood sugar?

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TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Last updated on -Aug 2, 2021, 12:30 IST

01/5How is okra beneficial for Diabetes?

Okra, otherwise known as ladyfinger, is a green flowering plant and belongs to the same plant family as hibiscus and cotton.

Apart from its amazing taste, it is filled with nutrients and minerals that are essential for the body. It has a reputation as a ‘superfood’ as it is a blessing for those with diabetes or cancer. It has potassium, vitamin B, vitamin C, folic acid, and calcium. It is also low in calories and has a high fibre content.

Here is what makes okra beneficial for diabetics.

It was found that okra is very beneficial for the early stages of diabetes. The research found that people who consumed okra water reported decreasing blood sugar levels and roasted Okra seeds have been used for years as a medicine in Turkey to treat diabetes.

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02/5High in fibre

Okra is a vegetable that has a high fibre content, which plays an important part in the treatment of diabetes. It is named as an anti-diabetic food item due to the presence of high fibre content that stabilises the blood sugar levels by slowing the rate at which it is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. It also promotes better glycemic control and improves insulin sensitivity. This dietary content not only helps in diabetes but also provides other health benefits like indigestion, reducing cravings, and keeping people fuller for longer.

03/5Filled with antioxidant

Okra is also rich in antioxidants that reduce the stress level in the body. Managing diabetes is not only about what we consume but also about changes in our lifestyles that can help manage our diabetes. Managing your stress can also help in managing your diabetes as long term stress can cause blood sugar levels to rise.

04/5Manages cholesterol

Research found that people with diabetes are more likely to have high cholesterol. Therefore, it is better to consume food items that are rich in antioxidants and fibre to manage the cholesterol level in the body. It is important to maintain good health, in order to reduce the complications of diabetes.

05/5Ways in which you can incorporate okra into your diet

There are several dishes you can make with okra, it can be used on its own or as a combination with onions and tomatoes.

You can cut okra into pieces and put it in water overnight and drink it in the morning.

You can also use okra peel, by grating okra with a grater and using the peel as garnishes or consume it as it is.

You can buy powdered okra seeds or make them from scratch by drying out the seeds before grounding them. Powdered okra seeds are shown to be beneficial for diabetes and as a supplement.