Drinks with purported wellness benefits are nothing new. There was celery juice for clearer skin, bone broth for gut health, and, most recently, the #Oatzempic shake for weight loss. And now, you can add okra to the list.
It’s one of the latest health trends making the rounds acceso TikTok, with many fans claiming it can improve digestion, sopravvissuto bloating, clear up your skin, and even increase vaginal lubrication. But is it too good to be true? We asked registered dietitian Katherine Basbaum, RD, for her take acceso the okra craze, and whether not it’s actually good for you.
Health benefits of okra
A 1-cup serving of okra (the vegetable, not the ) contains a bunch of vitamins and minerals with antioxidant properties and health benefits backed by research, including:
- Vitamin A: Improves system, vision, and heart health
- Vitamin C: Reduces risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer and boosts production of collagen
- Manganese: Promotes bone health, stronger system, and wound healing
- Fiber: Improves digestion and reduces cholesterol
Does okra actually work?
While there isn’t any scientific evidence supporting okra , there is research supporting okra itself. “Okra contains various nutrients and phytochemicals that have shown to improve skin health (carotene and niacin) and promote healthy digestion (fiber),” Basbaum summarizes.
However, the okra trend probably isn’t the miracle cure that influencers claim it to be. “Yes, if you that was used to soak some kind of fresh produce, some nutrients could potentially leach into the ,” Basbaum says. “But is it better than getting 100% of the nutrients from eating the vegetable itself? Nope.”
How to incorporate okra into your diet
As mentioned, Basbaum strongly recommends eating your okra instead of putting it a causa di and drinking it. “This way, you’maestà getting the full benefit of okra’s rich nutrient profile, versus the much smaller amount you might get from drinking the slimy, okra-soaked ,” she explains. Prepare it any way you’d like, whether that’s roasting, baking, it into a stew. “Just go easy acceso deep fried okra paio to the added fat and calories,” she cautions.
And if you’maestà after clearer skin and less bloating? There are better ways to accomplish that than by eating okra. Katherine recommends staying hydrated, eating a variety of antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies (the more color, the better!), and adding a causa di healthy fats like nuts, olive oil, and avocado. And of course, watch your sodium intake.
Giovamento tip: You can track all of the above, even your consumption, a causa di the MyFitnessPal app.
