Lady’s Finger contains a high amount of soluble fiber, which plays a huge part in being healthy. it is used in a variety of dishes around the world, it can also be chopped into stir-fries or roasted in a pan for a crispy dish. Lady’s finger packs impressive amounts of nutrients into its little pods. Here are a few impressive benefits of the deceptively simple-looking Lady’s Finger
Lowers the Risk of Heart Disease
High cholesterol levels are one of the main reasons for getting heart disease. Lady’s finger contains a thick gel-like substance called mucilage, which can bind to cholesterol during digestion, causing it to be excreted rather than being absorbed into your body. The fiber present in lady’s finger also helps in lowering bad cholesterol levels, It is rich in magnesium as well, a mineral known to regulate blood pressure levels – protecting the heart by cutting down the risk of stroke.
Boost Immune system
The healthy fiber which is present in lady’s finger feeds the good bacteria in our intestines, which builds our immunity against viruses and infection. It is also full of antioxidants and Vitamin C which helps in removing free radicals and boost immunity. The vitamins present in Lady’s Finger can enhance the functioning of the immune system, to produce white blood cells and combat foreign pathogens that weaken the immune system.
Helps in Digestion
The fiber present in lady’s finger is great for the digestive tract, Dietary fiber helps prevent constipation and promotes regularity. In fact, the higher your fiber intake, the less chance you have of developing colorectal cancer. The fiber in Lady’s Finger gives you the feeling of being full for a long time, thereby contributing to weight loss.
Controls Diabetes
Fiber-rich foods are particularly suggested for patients with diabetes. This is because increased fiber intake has shown to control blood sugar levels and even improve insulin sensitivity. Lady’s finger is a great source of fiber, in fact, Eight medium-sized okra pods contain over 3 grams of fiber, which is a lot. It also contains myricetin, a substance that can increase sugar absorption, thus reducing the sugar levels in the body.
Cancer-Fighting
Lady’s finger is Packed with antioxidants, providing much-needed support to cells in fighting off free-radicals that can lead to cancer. It also contains a type of protein called lectin, which may inhibit the growth of human cancer cells. According to studies done in breast cancer cells found that the lectin in okra may prevent cancer cell growth by up to 63%.
Helps in pregnancy
Lady’s finger contains folate, which is an important nutrient for pregnant women. It’s recommended that women going through pregnancy should consume 400 mcg of folate every day. Folate has been found to reduce birth defects in babies. It also contains Vitamin C that boosts iron absorption. Iron is crucial during the time of pregnancy as it enhances blood health and promotes the baby’s growth and development.
