The Amazing Nutritional Benefits Of Okro

In most Nigerian and African homes, okro soup is a daily delicacy. The soup combines easily with foods such as pounded yam, fufu and eba which it aids to travel easily down the gullet into the stomach - quite unlike other kinds of soup in which the swallower has to exert pressure to force the morsel down. Also referred to as lady’s finger and gumbo, Okro is a nutritional powerhouse used throughout history for both medicinal and culinary purposes. Once loved by the Egyptians and still used in many dishes today (such as the infamous gumbo dish), this pod-producing, tropical vegetable dates back over 3500 years ago. But still today, many are enjoying both okro health benefits and the vegetable’s edible delight.

Like the kiwi fruit (okro actually shares many kiwi fruit benefits), okro is known for it’s high vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate content,(although not quite as high as kiwi). Further, okro is known for harnessing a superior fiber, which helps with digestion, stabilizes blood sugar, and helps to control the rate at which sugar is absorbed.
But there is much more to okro.

While the “amount of nutrition” from okro varies based on how it’s consumed (pods, grams, etc), some of the key substances in the vegetable remain the same. Here are some prominent vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients found in okro that deserve some spotlight. Each figure is based on 1 cup (100g) of okro.

• Fiber – 2.5 grams. 10% of RDA (recommended daily value)

• Vitamin C – 16.3 milligrams. 27% RDA.

• Folate – 46 micrograms. 11% RDA.

• Vitamin A – 283 international units. 6% RDA.

• Vitamin K – 40 micrograms. 50% RDA. The vitamin K found in okro is known as vitamin K1, one of two beneficial forms. The other beneficial form is K2; K3 is synthetic and should be avoided.

• Niacin (Vitamin B3) – 0.9 mg. 4% RDA.

• Thiamin (Vitamin B1) – 0.1 mg. 9% RDA.

• Vitamin B6 – 0.2 mg. 9% RDA.

• Magnesium – 36 mg. 9% RDA.

• Manganese –  0.3 mg. 15% RDA.

• Beta carotene – 225 mcg.

• Lutein, Zeaxanthin – 516 mcg.

As mentioned, Okro is rich in numerous vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that are responsible for the health benefits the plant has to offer. Here are some of okro’s health benefits:

• Okro Promotes a Healthy Pregnancy – An extremely important B vitamin for producing and maintaining new cells, folate is an essential compound for optimal pregnancy. The vitamin helps prevent birth defects like spina bifida and helps the baby to grow sufficiently. Vitamin C is also essential for fetal development. Okro is rich in both folate and vitamin C.

• Helps Prevent Diabetes – Thanks to fiber and other nutrients, okro proves beneficial in normalizing blood sugar in the body, helping with diabetes.

• Helps with Kidney Disease – One study published in the Jilin Medical Journal found that regular consumption of okro can help prevent kidney disease. In the study, “those who ate okro daily reduced clinical signs of kidney damage more than those that simply ate a diabetic diet.” This also ties in with diabetes, as nearly 50% of kidney disease cases are caused by diabetes.

• Supports Colon Health – Okro is full of dietary fiber, which is essential for colon health and digestive health as a whole. The fiber Okro provides helps to clean out the gastrointestinal system, allowing the colon to work at greater levels of efficiency. Additionally, the vitamin A contributes to healthy mucous membranes, helping the digestive tract to operate appropriately.

• Could Help with Respiratory Issues like Asthma – Okro contains vitamin C, which has been shown to help with respiratory issues like asthma. One study concluded that “the consumption of fruit rich in vitamin C, even at a low level of intake, may reduce wheezing symptoms in childhood, especially among already susceptible individuals.”

• Promotes Healthy Skin – Vitamin C helps keep the skin looking young and vibrant. The vitamin aids in the growth and repair of bodily tissues, which affects collagen formation and skin pigmentation, and helps to rejuvenate damaged skin. Okro is full of vitamin C.