Before we get into why drinking Okra water can be beneficial to your health, let’s first look at this underused fruit/vegetable in more depth. Okra, also known as ladies fingers in some English-speaking countries, is a member of the marrow family. Probably having originated in Ethiopia, Okra is grown in warm temperate regions around the world and plays a vital role in the cuisines of India and the Southern United States.

Nutrition and Health Benefits of Okra

Rich in minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber, uncooked okra is 90% water, 2% protein, 7% carbohydrates and has next to no fat.

One cup of okra or 100 grams of raw okra contains the following dietary values:

• Calories: 33
• Carbs: 7 grams
• Protein: 2 grams
• Fat: 0 grams
• Fiber: 3 grams
• Magnesium: 14% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Folate: 15% of the DV
• Vitamin A: 14% of the DV
• Vitamin C: 26% of the DV
• Vitamin K: 26% of the DV
• Vitamin B6: 14% of the DV

An excellent source of vitamins C and K1, okra is low in carbohydrates and contains protein which many fruits and vegetables lack.

Benefits of okra water to ladies

As you can see above, okra is a good source of vitamin B9 (folate), with 100 grams or one cup providing women with 15% of their daily folate needs. Having okra in their diet is very beneficial to pregnant women as it helps them meet their daily folate needs. The vitamin C found in okra helps with the production of collagen, a protein responsible for healthy joints and skin elasticity that keeps you healthy and young looking.

Does drinking okra water in the morning have benefits?

Putting aside okra’s nutritional health benefits and the fact that it is essential in a Louisiana gumbo stew, okra is a vegetable that you love or hate. If you are in the hate column, you can now enjoy all of the okra’s goodness by having a glass of okra water in the morning.

Okra water is believed to aid blood sugar management and also help with weight loss. Being able to maintain a healthy blood sugar level is important to your overall health as having high blood sugar can lead to 2 diabetes. Regarding weight loss, because okra is low in calories it is the ultimate weight loss food and will help minimize the amount you eat.

People who drink okra water recommend having a glass first thing in the morning 30 minutes before eating breakfast to help maximize its health benefits.

How to make okra water

Now we have told you all the benefits of drinking okra water here is a simple way you make make it for yourself at home:

1. First, take four or five okra pods and wash them under running water.
2. Cut the ends off the pods and then slice them in half.
3. Take a glass of water and immerse the pods in it.
4. Leave the pods soaking in the water overnight.
5. The following morning take the pods out of the water and squeeze the remaining juices into the water before throwing them away.
6. Pour the water through a sieve into a glass and drink it straight away.

Why not try okra water yourself?

When buying okra at your greengrocer or supermarket, look for blemish-free bright green pods and avoid any that are dry at the end or have brown spots. Given all of okra’s health benefits and the fact okra water is easy to make, why not try a glass of okra water yourself.