Yemisi Olowookere, a Nutritionist with Garki Hospital, Abuja, has advised Nigerians to cultivate the habit of consuming okra as the eugenol in okra helps fight diabetes.
Olowookere told the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja that the fibre also helps stabilise blood sugar level by delaying sugar absorption from the intestines.
According to her, okro is one of the best vegetable sources of dietary fibre essential for the digestive system.
She said: “Dietary fibres in okro help prevent and relieve constipation.
“The soluble fibre in okro absorbs water and adds bulk to the stool thus preventing constipation.
“Being a vegetable, it is obvious that okro is healthy and should be included in one’s menu.”
Olowookere said okro was good to improve colon health by allowing the organ to work at a higher rate of efficiency and reduce the risk of colon cancer.
She said the iron content of okra forms haemoglobin in the blood and prevents anaemia, adding that vitamin K helps in blood coagulation.
Olowookere said the dietary fibres contained in this vegetable help people who are on weight loss programmes, adding that okro has a very low caloric value so it is a great addition when losing weight.
She said: “The soluble fibre in okro helps to lower serum cholesterol and thus reduces the risk of heart disease.
“Eating okro is an effective way to control the body’s cholesterol level.
“Okro is also high in pectin that helps in lowering high blood cholesterol by altering the production of bile in the intestines.”
Olowookere said okro can help improve healthy hair and reduces dandruff.
She said the high Vitamin C content in okro helps fight cold and cough by encouraging a healthy immune system.
She said: “The Vitamin C and many essential minerals like magnesium, manganese, calcium and iron in okro also fight against harmful free radicals and therefore promote an overall healthy immune system.
“Vitamin A and beta carotene found in okro are
essential nutrients for maintaining good eyesight.
“The essential nutrients also help prevent eye related diseases such as cataracts.
“The Vitamin A promotes good eye health and protects against age related eye disorders.”
Olowookere said the high amount of folate contained in okro is beneficial for the foetus during pregnancy, adding that folate is an essential nutrient, which improves the development of the foetus’ brain.
Olowookere said the high amount of folic acid in okro plays an important role in the neural tube formation of the foetus from the fourth to the twelfth week of pregnancy.
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