Okra—also known as gumbo and lady’s-fingers, is the most essential vegetable harvest in the tropical and subtropical areas of the world.
Okra water is prepared by slicing fresh or frozen okra pods, soaking them in water, and leaving them in the water for several hours. The liquid that comes out of this is known as okra water. This liquid isn’t the same as plain water and looks like gel.
Do you want to know how to prepare okra water and its impact on the body? Keep reading this article.
What does okra water taste like?
Okra water will become slimy, thick, and somewhat earthy in taste. Okra water has an okra flavor and sometimes tastes like eggplant or green beans. Adding pineapple juice and coconut water can cover up the slime. To make it tasty, add honey or lemon juice to the water.
Does okra water contain nutrients?
The exact nutritional content of okra water is unspecified, but it is an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals.
Eight slices of raw okra have
- Protein: 2 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Carbs: 7 grams
- Calories: 31
- Magnesium: 13% of the DV
- Manganese: 33% of Daily Value
- Fat: 0.2 grams
- Thiamin: 16% of the DV
- Copper: 12% of the DV
- Vitamin C: 24% of the DV
- Folate: 14% of the DV
- Vitamin B6: 12% of the DV
Okra is especially high in manganese, a mineral that supports metabolism and controls blood sugar levels. It’s also rich in vitamin C, which plays a significant role in immune function.
How to prepare okra water?
Here is a guide on how to prepare okra water at home.
- To prepare okra water, you need clean water and fresh okra.
- In the first step, wash the okra pods and remove the stems.
- Make slices of the okra pods and chop them.
- Put the okra in a glass or a jar of water.
- Place them in a refrigerator and let them soak for almost 8 hours.
- Once the water and okra are infused together and turn into a slimy texture, drain the liquid from cheesecloth or a filter.
- To enhance its taste, add honey and lemon juice to it.
- You can store this water in the fridge for at least three days.
How to use okra water?
It’s all up to your choice and preferences. You can drink it refreshingly using mint, ice cubes, herbs, lemon slices, and preferred sweeteners.
You can also use it in smoothies, tea infusions, juice blends, soups, sauces, and stews.
When using okra water in cuisine, remember that it retains a neutral flavor and can concentrate liquids due to its mucilage. To avoid a gel-like appearance, use okra water in a low quantity or mix it with additional liquids.
When to drink okra water?
Okra water is generally prepared by soaking okra pods or slim slices of okra for up to 24 hours.
Drinking okra water on an empty stomach in the morning is common. Followers claim that this increases its health benefits.
However, no study supports the idea that okra water is more helpful in the morning. Therefore, you can drink okra water whenever you find it most effective.
For best results, use okra water with a balanced diet high in nutrient-dense foods like vegetables, whole grains, and fruits.
Benefits of okra water:
Okra is an excellent source of essential nutrients, including vitamin C, fiber, manganese, folate, and antioxidants. These nutrients support hormonal balance. Okra water,
- Provides Good Nutrition.
- Improves Gut Health.
- Strengthens Bones.
- Helps Regulate Blood Sugar.
- Boosts Heart Health.
- Supports a Healthy Pregnancy.
- Fights Cancer.
Are there any side effects of okra water?
Although okra water is believed to be safe for some individuals, some may face digestive issues like gas or bloating, mainly due to its high fiber range. Therefore, avoiding okra water is better if you already have digestive problems like diverticular diseases or gastritis.
Conclusion:
Okra water is highly nutritious and easy to drink, which can improve your overall health quality.
While there’s not enough research on okra water, it is nourishing and highly antioxidants. It offers multiple other health advantages, including promoting weight loss and regulating blood sugar.
Enjoy okra water as a nutritious and well-balanced diet to maximize health benefits.
