Okra is Good for You

What can you say about okra? People either love it, or hate it and there doesn’t seem to be much middle ground on this. Okra is a common staple in the southern parts of the United States. This doesn’t mean that it can’t be enjoyed in all parts of the States. Most stores carry okra in their frozen food section.

There are a number of reasons that eating okra is healthy for you. One of the things okra is noted for is its ability to be a demulcint. This is a compound that can coat and ultimately sooth inflammation and pain of membranes. Mucilage is the slimy compound that can sooth mucus membranes. Herbalists believe that this can assist people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome or suffer from irregularity with their intestines.

Low in calories but high in nutrients, okra is a healthy veggie to add to your diet. Foods that are high in fiber and low in calories are filling and great for people who are trying to loose weight. The high fiber in okra also helps keep your digestive track healthy. Okra is also high in the important vitamins B,A, and C. Okra is a heart healthy veggie also! It can assist in lowering cholesterol, which makes your heart very happy.

When we discuss okra culinarily, it is most often used in gumbos and soups. It has the ability to help thicken the gumbos and soups to a richer consistency. Okra can be eaten raw but that is based on preference. Some compare the flavor to eggplant. If you wish to reduce the slime in okra a common recommendation is to fry it. Okra can also be boiled and steamed though this does tend to make it slimy.

You can enjoy okra in a very large number of recipes. Cajun cooking is a great example of a type of cooking that includes okra.