Can eating okra lower blood sugar?

Okra is a relatively long-lived vegetable ingredient and its taste is quite interesting, slippery and slightly sweet. Eating okra can lower blood sugar because its mucus contains cocoa fiber, which can reduce the body's absorption of glucose.

1. Lowering blood sugar

Okra contains a high amount of mucus. Studies have found that mucus is rich in soluble dietary fiber, such as pectin, gum arabic, carboxymethyl cellulose, etc., which can prevent the digestion of intestinal carbohydrates and thus reduce the absorption of glucose, which is speculated to lower blood sugar after meals. Okra seeds contain a large amount of essential amino acids and unsaturated fatty acids needed by the human body. Studies have confirmed that okra seeds and pods have the ability to inhibit α-glucosidasec and α-amylase, which can delay the digestion of carbohydrates.

2. Lowering blood lipids

Studies have found that the rate of dietary fiber and bile binding in okra is higher than that in other vegetables, such as asparagus, green beans, carrots, and cauliflower, which can reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the diet. Another reason may be that okra extract interferes with liver cholesterol synthesis, thereby achieving the purpose of lowering blood lipids.

The okra we usually eat can be generally divided into two types, green okra and yellow okra, and both types of okra belong to the Malvaceae family. Eating okra for a long time can not only protect our internal organs, but also has great benefits for our gastrointestinal motility and absorption. It can also help us lose weight, lower blood sugar, and help improve our physical fitness.