Why Is Everyone On The Internet Drinking Okra Water?
Okra water is the newest wellness trend on the block does it have any health benefits or is it just another fad?
From salmon sperm facials to using micellar waters as a dry shampoo, the Internet is perpetually populated with buzzy trends that often seem too good to be true. The latest wellness trend that has everyone’s attention now is drinking okra water on an empty stomach.
The trend might have taken off recently, but okra water has been a popular health drink for centuries. Records have indicated that water extracted from immersing okra pods overnight was used in ancient Ayurvedic medicines to treat conditions like diabetes and inflammation and improve blood sugar.
What Are The Benefits Of Drinking Okra Water?
Okra seeds contain reserves of water-soluble vitamins A, C, and K. The mucilage helps bind cholesterol, bad fats and toxins and prevents them from being absorbed into the liver.
“Okra water is rich in mucilage, which has a soothing effect on the digestive tract, as it lines the intestinal walls, slows down and helps with conditions like gastric irritations such as acid reflux or gastritis”. Says, Payal Kothari, an Integrative Nutritionist, Founder of GutAvatar, & INUEN and Author of the Book, The Gut. “Moreover, it also forms a film against the intestinal walls and prevents the sugar from being directly absorbed, thereby regulating blood sugar levels. Due to the long immersion, many water-soluble vitamins like Vitamin C and Vitamin K get passed into the water, which is known to improve skin health, which otherwise gets lost while cooking due to intense heat.” However, not all nutrients are absorbed by the water. It can be a good addition to your wellness regime rather than a permanent solution”.
Nutritionist Anupama Menon agrees and adds, “Just as an individual needs a balanced diet for their overall physical well-being, sipping okra water alone will not solve any major health conditions. Okra as a vegetable is a storehouse of macro and micronutrients. When it is taken with a balanced diet with other vegetables and combined with a regular fitness regime, it may promote better digestion. But, it is not a miracle food that single-handedly does wonders for an individual’s health. The research on the benefits of Okra water is still unclear and ongoing.”
Is Okra Water Meant For Everyone?
Nutritionist Payal Kothari says that the okra water trend is not ideal for everyone. She suggests people with kidney issues and people prone to allergies caused by green vegetables should avoid trying this viral trend. “Okra contains oxalates, which can increase the risk of kidney stone formation in people prone to them. Moreover, it may also lead to significantly lower blood sugar levels and lead to hypoglycemia. Therefore people, with low blood sugar levels should regularly monitor their blood sugar levels while consuming okra water.”
How To Make Okra Water
Ingredients
2-3 Pods of Okra (Ladies finger)
100 ml water
1 Medium sized cup
Method: