Okra is a plant of Ethiopian origin which is also known as lady’s fingers, gumbo, and kiabo. It has tiny seeds and a greenish color.
In the past, this plant has been used all over the world due to its powerful health benefits.

Namely, it is considered a natural remedy for numerous ailments, including diabetes, high cholesterol, and even cancer.

It is extremely rich in potassium, thiamin, vitamin C, magnesium, calcium, vitamin B6, and folate which can significantly improve your overall health. Here is what you did not know about okra:

1. It reduces your food cravings

Okra is abundant in soluble fiber which makes you stay full for a long period of time. Therefore, the daily consumption of this plant will reduce your food cravings and thus help you to lose some extra weight.

2. Treats fatigue

Chronic fatigue has become a common symptom of numerous serious diseases nowadays. The lack of antioxidants is one of the main reasons for this condition. Okra plant has powerful antioxidant properties and it is rich in polyphenols which encourage the storage of glycogen in the liver. This, in turn, saves more energy for your cells.

3. Helps in the treatment of diabetes

The okra seeds reduce the level of glucose which can be helpful for controlling diabetes. They inhibit the enzyme alpha-glucosidase and improve insulin sensitivity.

4. Regulates the levels of cholesterol

Okra prevents the buildup of fat in your body and encourages the reduction of high cholesterol. It can also stimulate the production of bile acids in the stool, thus preventing atherosclerosis as well as other cardiovascular ailments.

5. Boosts the immunity

Due to the high level of vitamins in this plant, it can improve the blood count which boosts the immune system and prevents numerous diseases.

6. Prevents gastritis

Okra has been proven to fight Helicobacter Pylori which normally resides in the intestinal lining. By fighting this bacterium, okra reduces both the inflammation and the risk of developing gastritis.

7. Prevents cancer

Okra contains lectin which is a type of protein that has been used in a study to treat human breast cancer cells. According to the findings, it can reduce cancer cell growth by up to 63%.

8. It acts as a diuretic

If you suffer from bloating, okra can help you alleviate the discomfort. It has been proven that it eliminates the excess water weight from your body which is one of the reasons for bloating. This is due to its detoxifying and diuretic properties.