HEALTH TIPS: NUTRITIONAL VALUES OF OKRA.
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Okra contains high levels of mucilaginous fiber and it is
rich in vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, B,C,E and K, as well as
calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc.
Below are some of the benefits:
·
Skin Health: Vitamin A antioxidants are also
able to protect the skin, by promoting quick healing, minimizing the appearance
of scars and acne, and eliminating wrinkles. It’s because the antioxidants are
able to neutralize the free radicals which may have damaged those skin cells.
·
Blood Pressure and Heart Health: Okra is a very
good source of both vitamins and minerals, including potassium, which is needed
in the human health. Potassium is very necessary to maintain proper fluid
balance in the body because it balances sodium.
Potassium also helps to relax the blood
vessels and arteries, which reduces blood pressure and lessens the strain on
the cardiovascular system. Which means that clotting and atherosclerosis will
be greatly reduced.
·
Vision Booster: Vitamin A has a very high
content in okra, and antioxidant components such as beta carotenes, xanthein,
and lutein. Antioxidants are a very
powerful compounds that destroy or neutralize free radicals, which are the
dangerous by products of cellular metabolism.
With high levels of okra in your diet, you
will have more protection for your sight, including macular degeneration and
cataracts.
·
Digestive Health: Mucilaginous fiber which is
found in okra can help move food through your digestive tract by adding bulk.
It means that bowel movements are more regular and there is a reduction in
gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, cramping, constipation, and excess
gas.
It can also help to prevent diarrhea,
because it adds bulk to watery stools.
·
Immune System: The various types of antioxidant
components in okra make it very beneficial to fight off free radicals, but the
high vitamin C content also means that the general immune system is boosted.
Vitamin C can stimulate the immune system to create more white blood cells,
which can combat the other foreign pathogens and materials in the body that can
compromise the immune system.
