Eat "Green Ginseng" okra to lose weight, control blood sugar, and supplement calcium

Okra is a vegetable with high nutritional value and is known as the "green ginseng". It is not only rich in protein and low in calories, but is also very suitable for people who want to lose weight. Current studies have found that "isoquercetin" in okra is closely related to "blood sugar control". Doctors point out that in addition to aiding digestion, okra is also the champion of "calcium supplementation", but people who often suffer from diarrhea should not eat too much.

Zhou Shuoqu, attending physician of the family medicine department of Shuanghe Hospital, pointed out that okra has many benefits. It can not only protect the stomach wall, but also help lose weight. This is mainly because okra contains water-soluble dietary fiber, which can increase the feeling of fullness. At the same time, because water-soluble fiber is digested more slowly, blood sugar rises more slowly, which has the effect of stabilizing blood sugar.

Benefits of Okra: Control blood sugar and help lose weight

Domestic studies have shown that isoquercitin in okra can help control blood sugar. The study found that 87.5% of the subjects showed significant improvement within 8 weeks. After 1 month, the average blood sugar level dropped from 163.4 mg/dL to 141.0 mg/dL, an average decrease of 14%.

But it should be noted that if you want to control blood sugar and lose weight, you cannot rely on okra alone. You still need to have a balanced diet and regular exercise habits, and try to reduce the intake of sugary drinks and refined sugar products. At the same time, when consuming okra, you must drink enough water to reduce the risk of constipation.

Good stomach-protecting foods can stabilize blood pressure

Dr. Zhou Shuoqu emphasized that okra, also known as yellow okra, commonly known as okra, is known as a "good food for protecting the stomach." Compared with vegetables higher in crude fiber (such as celery), okra does not irritate the stomach and intestines and is suitable for people with poor stomachs. Furthermore, its mucus can help with swallowing, and is also suitable for the elderly with bad teeth and poor swallowing function.

In addition, okra is rich in magnesium, potassium and calcium, which are minerals that help stabilize blood pressure. The U.S. "Dietary Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension" recommends that people should consume more foods rich in magnesium, potassium, and calcium. Okra is rich in these nutrients, but for patients with chronic kidney disease, they should control their intake and avoid eating it raw.

Okra is good for calcium supplementation and helps calcium absorption

Doctors remind that okra is rich in dietary fiber, higher than that of sweet potatoes, bananas, oranges or apples, and eating it in moderation can prevent colorectal cancer. Okra is also rich in calcium (about 81 mg of calcium per 100 grams), which is comparable to the same amount of fresh milk, and the human body's absorption rate is higher than that of fresh milk, which has a positive effect on health.

As for the fact that many people drink okra water to lower blood sugar, there is currently no scientific evidence. If you want to buy okra, it is recommended to choose those that are plump, bright green in color, and have no insect scratches. At the same time, those with fuzz on the surface are relatively fresh. As for size, it is better to choose okra that is less than 10 cm in length, as it has a fresher and more tender taste.