Vegetable - Lady's Finger - Health Benefits

Lady's finger

1. Helps Bio-synthesis :Okra fibre is excellent for feeding the good bacteria (probiotics). This contributes to the health of the intestinal tract. These are similar to the ones proliferate by the yoghurt in the small intestine and helps biosynthesis of Vitamin B complex.
2. Dietary fibre :The pods are among the very low calorie vegetables. They provide just 30 calories per 100 g, besides containing no saturated fats or cholesterol. Nonetheless, they are rich sources of dietary fibre, minerals, and vitamins; often recommended by nutritionists in cholesterol controlling and weight reduction programs.
3. Anti-oxidants :The pods contain healthy amounts of vitamin A, and flavonoid anti-oxidants such as beta-carotene, xanthin and lutein. It is one of the vegetables with highest levels of these anti-oxidants. These compounds are known to have antioxidant properties and are essential for vision. Vitamin A is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural vegetables and fruits rich in flavonoids helps to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
4. Weight Loss : The low calorie content of Okra ( 30 kcal / 100 gm) and its high fibre content makes it a suitable food for weight loss . It provides minimum calories and the fibre helps in keeping you full for longer.
5. Heart disease : Okra contains soluble fibre pectin. Pectin helps in lowering the Bad cholesterol and prevents atherosclerosis by helping in elimination of deposited cholesterol and clots.
6. Controls blood sugar levels : This benefits of lady finger for diabetes is again attributed to its fibre. Eugenol a type of fibre helps in slowing down the digestion and absorption of sugar from the blood stream. Hence it helps in avoiding sugar spikes after meal and stabilizes the blood sugar levels. Its fibre further more help in lowering the blood sugar level.
7. Improves Digestion :The fibre content of lady finger helps in better digestion, and regularization of bowels. pectin swells up in the intestine and helps in easier elimination of the wastes from the intestine. People suffering from constipation benefit from regular consumption of lady finger.
8. Conception and Pregnancy :Lady's finger is an absolutely important food for ladies who are willing to conceive. Okra contains folic acid / folate. folate does not only helps in conceiving but also helps in the development of fetus and prevention of miscarriage. folate helps in the formation of neural tube of the fetus.
9. Improves Immunity :Another important benefit of lady finger is that it contains Vit C which helps in improving immunity.
10. Avoids Anaemia :Lady finger contains iron and folate and Vitamin K , these nutrients help in treating and avoiding Anaemia.
11. Prevention of Colon Cancer : Like all other high fibre foods , Lady finger too helps in prevention of Colon cancer by keeping the digestive system intact and functioning properly.
12. Improves eyesight :The vitamin A and beta carotene present in lady finger may be helpful in improving eyesight.
13. Treatment of dandruff and lice :Okra is used as home remedy for dandruff and lice. gut okra horizontally and boil in water, add lemon to this water and use this water for rinsing hair.

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