Nutritional Benefits of Okra
Okra is rich in vitamins and minerals. We can find group B vitamins, notably vitamin B2, B3, B6, B9 but also vitamin C. It is a plant which is rich in vitamin K,” explains nutritionist Mamadou Seydou Bah, also president of the NutriMali association.
Okra pods are a good source of nutrients and antioxidants such as vitamin C, polyphenols, polysaccharides and minerals according to a study by Yuan et al. in 2018.
Antioxidants, as their name suggests, “fight against so-called oxidation of cells in the human body, caused by free radicals,” explains Bah.
According to Ivorian nutritionist Marion Ezzedine, the high content of okra in vitamin C makes it a food that strengthens the immune system and helps fight against cellular aging.
If you are looking to lose weight, you can consider okra as an ally. Indeed, its low lipid content means that it has a low calorie intake.
Okra also plays an important role in the digestion process thanks to the dietary fiber it contains.
It is therefore a food that helps regulate intestinal transit and blood cholesterol levels,” reveals Ms. Ezzedine.
Dietary fiber also helps slow the absorption of carbohydrates and fats.
According to Dr Mamadou Seydou Bah, okra is a plant very rich in manganese and magnesium.
“Manganese plays an important role in bone mineralization, but also in protein metabolism. It is also involved in the functioning of the nervous system,” says Mr. Bah.
Source : *Ingénieur Muke Malyamukono Pierrot*
