Is okra good for diabetics?
According to Dr. Dan Gubler, a leading expert on natural plant compounds for health support in India, for people with diabetes, okra is one of the best foods to control blood sugar levels and also helps reverse insulin sensitivity.
"Okra contains the phytonutrient quercetin glucoside, which has the ability to reduce blood sugar, improve insulin levels and overall metabolic health. Eat okra twice a week," advises Dan Gubler.
Illustration photo
Nutritionist Vidhi Chawla (in India) also agrees with the above view and says that okra is a versatile and nutritious vegetable, worthy of our consumption at least twice a week.
Expert Chawla explains that okra helps control blood sugar levels. The soluble fiber in okra slows down the absorption of sugar in the intestines. This helps stabilize blood sugar levels, making it a must-have food for people with diabetes or those at risk of developing the disease.
4 amazing benefits of okra for diabetics
Low glycemic index
Foods with a low glycemic index are recommended to be included in the diet of diabetics. Okra is one of those foods. One of the good tips that can be applied for diabetics is to use okra to prepare dishes, thereby creating a feeling of fullness and controlling blood sugar levels.
Illustration photo
Helps fight kidney disease
One of the causes of diabetes is kidney related diseases. High sugar levels can damage the nerves of the kidneys and cause complications. Okra helps maintain glucose levels and prevents any kind of damage to the kidneys. Due to good excretion, blood sugar levels are controlled at a stable level.
Helps diabetics stay full longer
Soluble fiber is considered a good “medicine” for diabetics because it plays an important role in the digestion of carbohydrates. Okra, which is rich in soluble fiber, can therefore slow down the digestion process and reduce the impact of carbohydrates on blood sugar levels. At the same time, okra also helps keep you fuller for longer.
Helps control blood sugar
Eating okra daily can help control blood sugar levels to the maximum. Another important factor is that raw okra helps treat diabetes faster than cooked okra, as the nutrients remain intact. So, although you can add okra to soups and curries, the best way to maximize the benefits of okra in treating diabetes is to eat raw okra soaked in water.
How best should diabetics use okra?
Illustration photo
Drinking "okra water" is a popular method to help reduce diabetes symptoms. You can use okra to treat diabetes by soaking 4-5 fresh okra pods overnight, removing the heads and tails, and cutting them into small pieces. Then, take out the okra, use your hands or a machine to squeeze out all the mucus on the okra and discard the pulp. You can add a little salt or sugar to make the okra water easier to drink.
If you feel uncomfortable drinking okra water, you can use okra to make dishes such as salad or use it directly by boiling, steaming or frying.
Diabetics should avoid these 3 things when eating okra
Although okra has many health benefits, especially for people with diabetes, there are some things to keep in mind when using it:
- Do not use too much okra because okra is rich in oxalate, a compound that can contribute to the formation of kidney stone crystals.
- Okra can cause digestive problems such as bloating, diarrhea, and cramps, especially for people with intestinal problems due to its high fructans content.
- If you are using metformin to treat diabetes, note that okra can reduce the effectiveness of this drug, so you should not use okra at the same time as metformin.
Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/nguoi-benh-tieu-duong-nen-an-dau-bap-theo-cach-nay-de-kiem-soat-luong-duong-trong-mau-172240628154822435.htm
Comment (0)