Okra Water: Benefits, Nutritional Information, 5 Delicious Recipes (2023)

Okra water is the latest trend in the world of health and wellness. Is this nutrient-rich water really a super drink or just a fad? We researched the benefits and nutritional information and brought you five delicious okra water recipes.

Okra, okro, gumbo, and lady finger are all names for the same humble, nutritious vegetable. Okra is a plant native to Africa but is now grown in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The small green okra pods are often used in soups, stews and garnishes.

This infamous slimy vegetable is now part of a new health trend: okra water. In this blog post, we'll discuss the benefits of okra water and share 5 delicious recipes that can make consuming this sticky, nutritious drink a breeze.

What is okra water?

Okra water is the latest health trend everyone is talking about. So what is okra water?

Okra water is simply water that has been soaked in okra overnight. Okra is a healthy vegetable packed with nutrients. The bark and the seeds^[1]National Library of Medicine:Antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic potential ofAbelmoschus esculentus(L.) Mönch. in streptozotocin-induced diabetic ratsRaw okra is said to have anti-diabetic properties. Its mucilage content is also considered to be extremely soothing and beneficial for intestinal health. It has also been suggested that okra water can help.weight loss.

In addition, okra is a good source of fiber, vitamins C and K, folic acid and manganese. Soaking the okra in water overnight allows the nutrients in the okra to infuse into the water. This makes okra water a nutrient-rich drink with many health benefits. It's no surprise, then, that okra water is a good source of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which can help improve your overall health.

There are many health benefits associated with consuming okra water, including better digestion, better blood sugar control, better joint health, and reduced inflammation. Although studies on the benefits of this drink are still inconclusive, okra itself is a healthy vegetable packed with nutrients. So there's nothing wrong with giving okra water a try and seeing if it works for you. So if you're looking for a healthy way to improve your well-being, try okra water!

How to drink okra water?

Okra water is an easy and convenient way to get all the benefits of okra without having to eat the vegetable itself. As mentioned above, it is simply made by soaking okra pods in water overnight and then drinking that water the next day on an empty stomach.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare okra water:

• Choose fresh okra pods that are bright green in color and free of blemishes.
• Wash the okra well and cut them into very thin pieces.
• Alternatively, you can pierce the ends of the okra pods with a fork.
• Place the okra slices in a pitcher or container and fill with water.
• Cover the jar and let sit overnight so the okra nutrients can infuse into the water.
• The next morning, strain the water and drink it on an empty stomach.

If you're not a fan of the taste of okra water, there are other ways to drink it. Some people also like to add a squeezed lemon for extra flavor. You can add it to soups or stews, or blend it into other juices or smoothies. You can also freeze okra water into ice cubes and add them to your favorite drink. Below we will provide you with some interesting recipes that you can try using okra water quickly.

When to drink okra water?

Okra should be soaked overnight in water. Water should be consumed first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Soaking overnight gives the okra time to release all of its nutrients into the water, and drinking it on an empty stomach ensures that these nutrients are more efficiently absorbed by the body.

This is not to say that okra water is not beneficial at other times of the day. There's no bad time to drink okra water, as long as you drink it regularly.

Benefits of drinking okra water

There are many potential benefits of drinking okra water. These are some of the best known:

1. It can improve heart health

One of the benefits of okra water is to improve heart health. Okra is rich in fiber and antioxidants, both of which are important for cardiovascular health. Fiber helps lower cholesterol and blood lipid levels, while antioxidants help prevent oxidative damage to cells. Okra water also has a diuretic effect, which can help reduce high blood pressure. Additionally, okra seeds contain a compound called pectin, which has been shown to help improve circulation and heart function. Okra water has been shown to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as improve HDL (good) cholesterol levels.

2. Good source of antioxidants

Okra water is a good source of antioxidants such as vitamin C, flavonoids and phenolic compounds, substances that protect the body against free radical damage. Free radicals are molecules that can cause damage to cells and have been linked to a number of diseases, including cancer. Antioxidants help neutralize these free radicals, preventing them from causing damage. As a result, okra water can help reduce the risk of disease and promote overall health.

3. It can help manage diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or does not use the insulin it produces properly. This can cause high blood sugar levels, which can harm the body over time. Okra water is rich in flavonoids and polyphenols, which can help increase insulin sensitivity and help control blood sugar.

Studies^[2]National Library of Medicine:Okra polysaccharide (Abelmoschus esculentus(L.) Moench) increases antioxidant capacity via PI3K/AKT pathways and Nrf2 translocation in a model of type 2 diabetesin diabetic rats showed that okra water can help lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity. This suggests that okra water may be beneficial for people with diabetes, although more research is needed. It's important to talk to your doctor before starting any new treatment, but okra water can be a helpful addition to an existing blood sugar control plan.

4. Can boost immunity

Okra water can help boost immunity thanks to its high levels of antioxidants. These substances help fight infections and prevent damage caused by free radicals. Okra water is also a good source of vitamins C and A, both essential for a healthy immune system. Additionally, okra water contains compounds that may help reduce inflammation.

5. Improves digestion

Okra is rich in insoluble fiber, which helps bulk up your stool and promotes regular bowel movements. Additionally, okra is a good source of mucilage, a type of soluble fiber that forms a gel-like substance when mixed with water and gives okra water its characteristic slimy texture. This gel-like substance can help soothe the digestive tract and reduce inflammation. The antioxidants in okra can prevent intestinal inflammation. In addition, okra is also a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, magnesium and potassium. All of these nutrients are essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system.

6. It can promote better mental health

This might seem a bit far-fetched, but okra water has been shown to improve mental health. Okra water is rich in certain nutrients that are closely related to brain health. The main one is folate or folic acid. Folate has been linked to the development of brain cells.

Additionally, the antioxidants in okra water may help protect brain cells from damage. These nutrients can help improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of age-related mental decline.

Ultimately, our brain health is closely related to our gut health. As noted above, the fiber and mucilage in okra can help promote healthy bowel function. This, in turn, can ensure the efficient functioning of the gut-brain axis.^[3]National Library of Medicine:The gut-brain axis: interactions between enteric microbiota, central and enteric nervous systems, which is essential for healthy brain function.

7. Can promote weight loss

Studies done in mice^[4]PubMed:Okra polysaccharide improves metabolic disturbances in obese C57BL/6 mice induced by a high-fat dietwith artificially induced obesity found that okra extracts led to significant weight loss over an 8 week period. While more research is needed in this area, initial findings suggest that okra water may be a useful weight loss tool. Therefore, if you want to lose a few pounds, okra water is worth a try.

Possible risks of consuming okra water

There are some possible risks associated with consuming okra water. One of the main concerns is that okra water is rich in fructans, which can cause digestive problems in people intolerant to this type of carbohydrate. Consuming too much okra water can cause nausea and vomiting.

Some people may be allergic to okra and drinking okra water may trigger an allergic reaction in these people. While okra water offers many potential health benefits, it's important to be aware of these potential risks before consuming it.

Okra Nutritional Information

Raw okra is no slouch in the nutrition department. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)^[5]TWO UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE:okra, rawNational Nutrient Database, one cup (100 grams) of raw okra contains:

Calories – 33 calories

Protein – 1.93 grams

Carbs – 7.45 grams

Sugar – 1.5 grams

Fiber – 3.2 grams

Fat – 0.19 grams

Okra's vitamins and minerals include:

Vitamin A – 36 mcg

Vitamin B6 - 0.215 mg

Vitamin B 11 (folate) – 60 mcg

Vitamina C – 23mg

Vitamin K – 31 mg

Sodium - 7mg

Potassium – 299 mg

Calcium - 82 mg

Tiamina – 0,2 mg

Ferro – 0,62 mg

Copper - 0.109 mg

Magnesium - 57 mg

Phosphorus – 61 mg

Cinco - 0,58 mg

Okra is a low-calorie food, rich in fiber and nutrients. It also contains antioxidants that can help protect cells from damage. These properties make okra an excellent addition to any diet, especially for those trying to lose weight or manage diabetes.

Recipes and tips for making tasty okra water.

Okra water is an easy and healthy way to enjoy this nutritious vegetable. If you have trouble consuming this drink in the usual way, here are some recipes and tips to make okra water tastier:

1. Okra water with lemon juice

Ingredients:

• Okra Water – 1 cup
• lemon – 1
• honey – optional

Steps to follow:

1. Strain the okra water into a glass. Straining will greatly improve the texture of the drink.
2. Add the juice of 1 lemon.
3. Add a little honey for sweetness.
4. Stir well and consume.

2. Okra water with orange juice

Ingredients:

• Okra Water – 1 cup
• Oranges – 3-4 segments
• honey – optional

Steps to follow:

1. Strain the okra water.
2. Mix with orange slices and make a tasty sorbet juice.
3. You can add ice cubes if you want it to cool down. This mixture will help with digestion.

3. Okra Water and Berry Smoothie

Ingredients:

• Okra Water – 1⁄2 cup
• Berries – 2-3 different berries
• Yogurt – ½ cup
• honey - to taste

Steps to follow:

1. Choose fresh or frozen fruit of your choice
2. Now, hit them in the blender along with some yogurt and honey.
3. Add the okra water and beat until smooth.
4. Serve cold.

Okra water will add a smooth texture to the smoothie and make it more filling. The berries will give it sweetness, while the yogurt will make it creamy.

4. Okra soaked in coconut water

Ingredients:

• Quimbombo – 3-4
• Coconut water – 1 cup

Steps to follow:

1. Wash the okra.
2. Cut the okra or pierce the ends.
3. Dip the okra in a glass of coconut water. Cover with a lid and leave overnight.
4. Drink this drink on an empty stomach.

This is a great way to give the natural flavor and nutritional benefits of okra a boost. The delicate flavor and tender coconut flavor will overpower the raw taste of okra, and all the nutrients in okra will have been infused into the coconut water.

5. Okra Green Tea for Diabetes

Ingredients:

• Okra/lady's finger, cut into 4 tops
• Green tea bag- 1
• Water- 1 liter

Steps to follow:

1. Take a bottle or jar and add the water, green tea bag and sliced ​​okra.
2. Close the lid and refrigerate overnight.
3. Enjoy green tea in okra water the next day.

bonus tips

If you need more ideas on how to make okra water even tastier, or if you need creative ways to add this healthy drink to your diet, here are some additional tips:

• Add okra water to the berries when making jam or whip it into a deliciously rich, gooey mousse or fudge for added thickness and nutrition.
• Use okra water as a natural thickener in sauces or soups. Cook okra water in a stew or soup for a thick, flavorful, and healthy broth.
• Get creative with your recipes and add okra water while cooking your favorite dishes.

With these recipes and tips, you can enjoy okra water anytime, anywhere. So get creative and enjoy this healthy and delicious drink!

Conclusion

Okra water is a healthy and delicious way to enjoy this nutritious but infamous vegetable. It's important to be aware of the potential risks associated with consuming okra water, but when consumed in moderation, it can be a great addition to your diet. Be sure to try some of the recipes and tips above to make your okra water even tastier!