Okra water is the new viral health drink for healthy skin, weight loss. Does it function? Ladyfinger, also known as bhindi or okra, is a modest green vegetable that people often claim they either love it or don’t know how to cook. Arguable? Perhaps, but that’s a discussion for another time. The slimy drink known as bhindi is currently making waves on the Internet due to its supposed miraculous health effects.
Desire skin that glows? Do you want to lose the additional weight? or desire a better digestive system? At least that’s what wellness influencers are saying in their now-viral videos—okra water can help with anything. A few ladyfingers are chopped, soaked in water for the entire night, the tumbler or jar is sealed, the next day it is strained, and the slimy liquid is consumed. Many of them also concede that “it tastes yuck.”
But is it really worth disappointing your taste buds with okra water first thing in the morning in order to achieve the purported health benefits? Ladyfinger is a nutrient-rich vegetable with many benefits, according to health experts, but drinking the trendy, tasteless beverage might not be the greatest way to enjoy it.
Okra is beneficial to your health.
“Okra is rich in Vitamin C and K, folate, magnesium, potassium, and Vitamin B6. It is also a good source of soluble and insoluble fiber, which keeps the gut healthy and decreases cholesterol. It contains antioxidants like quercetin, catechin, and vitamin A,” says Charu Sadana, senior dietician at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi.
“These nutrients support general health and aid in the fight against free radicals. This vegetable is an excellent addition to our diet because of its high fiber and low calorie content. Additionally, it strengthens immunity and aids with digestion, says Payal Sharma, a senior dietician at Dharamshila Narayana Hospital in New Delhi.
How about water with okra?
Okra water is regarded as a healthy beverage since okra is so nutrient-dense, according to medical professionals. But don’t be deceived into thinking it is a magical cure-all that will repair everything from your skin to your gut and your weight.
According to Payal Sharma, “it may help with blood sugar regulation as the fiber in okra is known to slow down sugar absorption, helping to stabilise blood-sugar levels.” Fibre is also healthy for the digestive system and helps prevent constipation. Overindulgence, too, may cause intestinal problems.
Okra has a lot of fructans, a kind of carbohydrate that might upset your stomach. Because of its high fiber content, excessive eating may cause gas, bloating, or diarrhea in certain people, according to dietitian Charu Sadana.
Although okra water by itself won’t help you lose weight, it can help if you eat a balanced diet. Because of its high dietary fiber content, okra can help increase feelings of fullness and decrease the risk of overeating. In turn, this might help with improved weight management in a manner akin to that of other vegetables high in fiber.
Dermatologist Dr. Geetika Srivastava, founder of Influennz Skin and Hair Clinic, is situated in Delhi. She admits that there is some validity to the benefits of okra water for skin, but she finds most online wellness trends annoying.
Okra, or ladyfinger, has long been used in traditional diabetes care because it helps lower blood sugar and reduce insulin resistance. When blood sugar spikes, extra sugar binds to the body’s proteins through a process called glycation, damaging collagen, a key protein. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are produced as a result, and these can denaturize collagen. Okra water lowers the type of diabetes since it helps control blood sugar.
Dermatologist Dr. Geetika Srivastava, founder of Influennz Skin and Hair Clinic, is situated in Delhi. She admits that there is some validity to the benefits of okra water for skin, but she finds most online wellness trends annoying.
Okra, or ladyfinger, has long been used in traditional diabetes care because it helps lower blood sugar and reduce insulin resistance. A process known as glycation occurs when blood sugar levels rise, causing excess sugar to attach to the body’s proteins and impacting collagen, an essential protein. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are produced as a result, and these can denaturize collagen. Dr. Srivastava says, “Okra water has anti-aging properties because it prevents collagen degradation and helps reduce the formation of AGEs, which in turn helps regulate blood sugar.”
Comparing eating and drinking okra water
It’s possible that okra water has different effects than entire okra. Many individuals merely sip the water and throw away the okra pieces, which could mean they’re missing out on the many nutrients that okra has to offer. Sharma says, “You lose out on the fiber content that is still in the okra pieces when you just drink the slimy water.”
According to experts, consuming the whole vegetable has more health advantages than merely sipping the water.
Avoid drinking okra water on a daily basis
Healthcare specialists warn against drinking okra water on a daily basis, despite its small health benefits and contrary to what influencers may imply on the internet.
“Reduce it to no more than two times a week. Choose safer, more conventional options, such as amla juice, apple cider vinegar, or aloe vera, on other days. Dermatologist Dr. Deepali Bhardwaj of Delhi adds, “For your morning routine, I personally recommend sticking to something simple and effective like lemon and honey.”
Overindulging in okra might have detrimental effects on some people. Some people have okra allergies. It can also produce gas or bloating. It occasionally interacts with medications, such as blood thinners. Electrolyte imbalance may also result from overconsumption, according to Simrat Kathuria, head nutritionist at The Diet Xperts clinic in Ludhiana.
