Okra (Lady's Finger): Health, Skin & Hair Benefits | Nutritional Powerhouse

Okra is better known by its common name as lady’s finger or gumbo and popularly called ‘Bhindi‘ in Hindi, ‘Bendakaya‘ in Telugu, ‘Vendakkai‘ in Tamil, ‘Vendakai‘ in Malayalam, ‘Bende‘ in Kannada, ‘Bhinda‘ in Gujarati, ‘Bhendi‘ in Marathi and ‘Dherash‘ in Bengali. This high fiber vegetable is known for its high soluble and insoluble fiber content. This high fiber vegetable is known for its high soluble and insoluble fiber content. This vegetable is usually used in many recipes and is also a part of many nutritional diets as it is highly beneficial. Let us quickly look at the some of the amazing benefits of okra.

Okra USDA Nutrition Chart:

PrincipleNutrient ValuePercentage of RDAEnergy1.5%31 KcalCarbohydrates7.03 g5.4%Protein2.0 g4%Total Fat0.1 g0.5%Cholesterol0 mg0%Dietary Fiber9%3.2 g

Vitamins

Folates88 µg22%Niacin1.000 mg6%Pantothenic acid0.245 mg5%Pyridoxine0.215 mg16.5%Riboflavin0.060 mg4.5%Thiamin0.200 mg17%Vitamin C21.1 mg36%Vitamin A375 IU12.5%Vitamin E0.36 mg2.5%Vitamin K53 µg44%

Electrolytes

Sodium8 mg0.5%Potassium303 mg6%

Minerals

Calcium81 mg8%Copper0.094 mg10%Iron0.80 mg10%Magnesium57 mg14%Manganese0.990 mg43%Phosphorus63 mg9%Selenium0.7 µg1%Zinc0.60 mg5.5%

Phyto-nutrients

Carotene-ß225 µg—Crypto-xanthin-ß0 µg—Lutein-zeaxanthin516 µg—

 

100 grams of Okra contains 1.5% energy from calories, 7.03 gram carbohydrates, 2 gram protein, 0.1 gram fat and 9% fiber. Such fiber content can prove to be very beneficial for the body. Other nutrients are folates 88mg, niacin 1mg, Vitamin C 21.1mg, Vitamin E 0.36mg and Vitamin K 53mg. Other than these, Okra also contains calcium 81mg, copper 0.094mg, iron 0.8mg, magnesium 57mg, manganese 0.99mg, phosphorous 63mg and zinc 0.6 mg.

Health Benefits Of Okra/Lady’s Finger:

1. High Fiber Content:

The dietary fiber content of okra/lady’s finger is known to be high and hence, many health specialists recommend it for digestive benefits. The fibers aid the process of digestion in the body by facilitating proper bowel movement.

2. Prevents Diabetes:

Okra is known to aid in the prevention of diabetes. It is rich in fiber that helps in the prevention of this disease.

3. Good Folate Content:

The folates present in okra reduce the neural tube defects in a newborn baby. So, it is highly recommended for women during the preconception period or pregnancy.

4. Vitamin K Benefits:

Vitamin K is a co-factor in the blood-clotting process. It also plays a major role in strengthening the bones in our body.

5. Controls Asthma:

Asthma can also be treated by including okra/ lady’s fingers in your meals. People diagnosed with asthma are strongly suggested to consume okra.

6. Prevents Constipation:

By facilitating the proper absorption of water, okra/ lady’s finger vegetable ensures free motion disposal by the body and, hence, prevents constipation.

7. Prevents Sunstroke:

Okra helps prevent sunstrokes.

8. Prevents Colon Cancer:

It is believed that all diseases begin in the colon. Adding okra to your meals ensures the prevention of colon cancer and other related diseases to a great extent.

9. Controls Obesity:

With the regular usage of okra, in either the raw or the cooked form, you can avoid obesity to a great extent. Obesity is not necessarily due to the consumption of fatty and calorific foods but also due to the lack of nutrients.

10. Controls Cholesterol Level:

This vegetable ensures the lesser absorption of cholesterol, preventing heart diseases and ailments occurring due to cholesterol in the blood.

Cholesterol is a dominant factor in the body that triggers obesity and heart diseases.

Skin Benefits Of Okra:

11. Dietary Fiber For Healthy Skin:

Okra is a rich source of dietary fiber. It is also keeps the digestion problems away. Proper digestion reflects through a healthy-looking skin.

12. Vitamin C For Younger Skin:

Vitamin C found in okra helps maintain a younger looking skin. It aids in repairing the body tissues. This, in turn, helps keep your skin younger and also makes it look more vibrant.

13. Prevents Skin Pigmentation:

The nutrients found in okra actually help prevent skin pigmentation. It is useful for rejuvenating your skin and repairing damages.

Hair Benefits Of Okra:

14. Bouncy Hair:

If you are tired of your distressed hair, try using okra to get that bounce back. Boil okra with some water and the transparent mucilage that you get can be used to get your bouncy hair back.

15. Hair Conditioner:

The same mucilage can be used as a hair conditioner. Wash your hair and squeeze out the excess water. Massage the watery mucilage through your hair and rinse thoroughly with water.

16. Scalp Moisturiser:

Okra is an excellent moisturizer for your dry and itchy scalp. It leaves your hair feeling soft and isn’t harmful like the other cosmetics available in the market. It is great for people with unruly, curly and lifeless hair.

17. Fights Dandruff:

Okra improves the overall scalp condition and fights dandruff. It moisturizes your scalp and keeps dandruff away.

18. Shiny Hair:

Okra, when used as a hair rinse, gives great shine to your hair. You can give your regular conditioner a miss once in a while and take care of your hair the natural way.

Other Benefits Of Okra/Lady’s Finger:

1. Improving immunity
2. Improving eyesight
3. Weight loss
4. Preventing constipation
5. Avoiding anaemia
6. Preventing diabetes

How To Select Good Quality Okra?

Although the topical use of okra does a lot of good, we just cannot ignore how beneficial its intake is. Most of us are left clueless when questioned about how to select good okra. Here is a quick guide to help you understand the selection process better.

1. Smaller Pods: Always look for smaller pods because they are tender. They taste better than the larger ones, which are tough and stringy too.
2. Bright Color: Look out for bright green-colored pods. You may also find varieties of burgundy or deep red. Those are also used for cooking purposes but the green ones are widely used.
3. Unblemished Pods: While selecting okra, try and look for unblemished ones. These are fresh and are not rotten from inside.
4. Firmness: Check for the firmness of okra. While the smaller pods are generally tender, they should not be very soft.

How To Store Okra?

1. Okra should be stored unwashed.
2. You can store it in a paper bag or simply wrap it in a newspaper. If you don’t have a paper bag, you can also store it in a perforated plastic bag.
3. Make sure you keep it in the warmest part of your refrigerator. This would help you store it for up to 3 days at least.
4. Okra tends to decay faster when kept really cold. So, make sure you store it in warmer temperature in your refrigerator.
5. Simply blanch the whole okra and freeze it, if you want to store it longer.

Tips For Usage:

1. Before cooking, thoroughly wash and rinse the whole okra well with water.
2. After washing, pat it dry completely, using a dry towel.
3. You can then store it in a zip-lock bag and leave it overnight in the fridge before using it the next day. This will make it less slimy while cooking. This will make the okra freeze solid.
4. Add okra immediately to your dish after taking it out from the refrigerator. You can use it as a whole or chopped.
5. Always trim the ends before adding it to your dish.
6. Don’t allow it to thaw to avoid it from sliming out.

Tips For Cooking:

1. To avoid too much sliming, fry it in oil a little before adding all spices. This reduces the slime to a great extent. Remove okra from the pan and set aside and add it towards the end after you have prepared the rest of the dish.
2. Soak it in vinegar or lemon water before using it. Another option is to add lemon or vinegar to the dish itself to cut down the slime.
3. Blanch okra for 3-4 minutes to reduce the slime and add to the dish when it is almost cooked.

A Delicious Okra Recipe:

Due to the presence of nutrients, you should definitely include okra in your regular diet. With its less cholesterol and calorie content, it can be eaten in considerable amounts too.

Okra or Lady’s Finger can be consumed in many ways. The best way to consume it is to make a vegetable without gravy. Sausage Okra, Okra with salted corn, Fried Okra etc. are some other healthy recipes which can be made using okra. We all have okra the normal way, i.e., in form of a vegetable dish. Here is a recipe that is quick, tasty and different too.

Grilled okra:

Ingredients:

Okra, grapeseed oil or olive oil, salt and lemon juice.

Procedure:

• First prepare the charcoal grill on high heat flame.
• Trim the ends or the stems of the okra.
• Now, toss it in oil thoroughly so as to cover it with oil.
• Place the okra on the charcoal grill and cover with a lid.
• Let it remain covered till you see the grill marks on the okra. It should look a little charred on the edges.
• Turn it thereafter and let it get grilled on the other side as well.
• Once done, remove it from the grill and sprinkle some salt and lemon juice and enjoy your grilled, hot okra.

Hope you enjoyed this article and found it useful too. Please leave your comments and tell us how you liked it. Stay fit, stay healthy!