There is a food that is nutritious and known as "plant gold." Women love it because it aids digestion, regulates the spleen and stomach, and helps with weight loss, earning it the name "weight-loss vegetable." Men also love it because it can regulate male libido and has a kidney-tonifying effect. It is—okra. What are the nutritional benefits of okra?
Okra Stir-fried with Dried Tofu
Nutritional Benefits of Okra
The trace elements such as zinc and selenium rich in okra are very helpful for enhancing the body's anti-cancer abilities. Its main effects include relieving a sore throat; promoting urination; stimulating lactation; and regulating menstruation.
It can also treat sore throat; difficult and painful urination; prevent diabetes; prevent cancer; and protect the gastric mucosa.
Aids Digestion, Protects the Stomach and Intestines
The mucilage in okra can promote gastrointestinal motility, which is beneficial for digestion and for the health of the stomach and intestines.
Improves Hypoxia Tolerance
It can improve the body's tolerance to hypoxia.
Protects the Liver
The pectin and polysaccharides in okra have liver-protecting effects.
Prevents Colon Cancer
The mucilage in okra contains 50% dietary fiber, which is beneficial for preventing colon cancer.
Supplies Calcium
Not only is the calcium content in okra comparable to that of fresh milk, but its calcium absorption rate is 50-60%, twice that of milk, making it an ideal source of calcium.
Weight Loss
Okra is a low-calorie food and is excellent for weight loss.
Reinforces the Kidneys
Okra is also called cowpea, and Americans call it "plant Viagra," which speaks to its kidney-tonifying effects.
Relieves Fatigue
For young adults and athletes, regular consumption can eliminate fatigue and quickly restore physical strength. Of course, this effect applies to all groups of people.
Suitable People and Contraindications
Generally suitable for everyone.
1. Suitable for those with gastritis, cancer, gastric ulcers, anemia, or indigestion. Young adults, athletes, and women and men who focus on skincare should eat more of it.
2. However, okra is a vegetable with a slightly cold nature. People with a weak and cold stomach, poor gastrointestinal function, or who frequently have diarrhea should not eat too much of it.
Storage Requirements
At higher temperatures, okra's rapid respiration causes its tissues to quickly age, turn yellow, and spoil. Therefore, it is best stored in an environment of 7°C to 10°C, with a storage period of about 10 days. After buying okra, prevent it from being scratched, as it will turn black within a few hours of being damaged.
Precautions
Do not cook or serve okra in copper or iron utensils, otherwise, it will discolor quickly. Although it is not harmful to health, the taste will be compromised and it will not look appealing.
Okra can be eaten cold, stir-fried, deep-fried, stewed, in salads, or in soups. It should be noted that before eating okra raw or stir-fried, it must be blanched in boiling water for three to five minutes to remove its astringency.
There are many ways to cook okra; you can choose your favorite method. Okra can be stored for slightly longer than most leafy vegetables, and it is best to store it in a low-temperature environment. When cooking okra, pay attention to the utensils used; copper or iron cookware should not be used.
Autumn fried fragrance