About.
Okra, which has been widely talked about for its health benefits in recent years and has been the subject of numerous studies by the scientific world, is a valuable food that offers significant benefits to the body.
With its rich vitamin and mineral content and dietary
fiber content, it is a food that should definitely be included in nutrition plans.
Although its health benefits are countless, okra is a vegetable that is disliked by many and therefore consumed less.
One of the biggest reasons for this is its hairy exterior and the slimy secretion it contains.
Especially if it's not properly cleaned, this secretion from the inside of the okra can leak out and mix with the dish, creating an undesirably viscous broth.
However, properly cleaned fresh okra will not release this secretion after being soaked in lemon water for a while, resulting in a much more appealing dish.
For those who haven't grown to love okra despite their best efforts but want to benefit from the positive effects of this valuable food, okra seeds are another option.
Okra seeds, as the name suggests, are small seeds that appear when the okra plant's pods are split open.
Easily available in the separated and dried form of these seeds at herbalists and herbalists, okra seeds offer similar benefits to okra, but also offer other positive effects.
Okra seeds have a high vitamin and mineral content. They are abundant in B vitamins and minerals such as calcium, iron, and zinc.
By regularly consuming okra seeds, you can protect your muscle and bone health and reduce the risk of osteoporosis and similar bone diseases.
Thanks to its high iron content, okra seeds help normalize blood values in individuals with anemia. They also contain significant amounts of phosphorus and copper.
Therefore, consuming okra seeds is highly effective in fully meeting the body's micronutrient needs.
Provides a protective effect against infections. One of the most widely known benefits of okra seeds is their protective effect against infections.
You can consume okra seeds to protect against all kinds of infectious diseases caused by microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi, or to help them recover more quickly.
In addition to the common cold during the winter months, consuming okra seeds can help prevent all kinds of illnesses, from athlete's foot to urinary tract infections.
Protects against cancer: Just like okra, okra seeds contain abundant antioxidant components.
These components improve cell health and prevent cancerous growth.
This can help prevent tumors from forming in the body and slow the growth and spread of existing tumors.
Okra, which has positive effects on the digestive system, helps protect the body against many types of cancer, especially colon cancer.
Additionally, okra seeds contain elements that help strengthen the body's defense system.
These components strengthen the immune system, contributing to the prevention of all diseases and also protecting against cancer.
Regulates the digestive system. The most important thing to consider for the regular functioning of the digestive system is to consume adequate amounts of dietary
fiber, which the body needs, along with food.
Dietary
fiber is the part of food that is not digested in the gastrointestinal tract and is excreted.
These fibers increase stool volume and increase the speed of the digestive system. This prevents problems such as constipation and intestinal laxity.
Okra seeds are a valuable source of
fiber.
Thanks to its fibrous structure, okra seeds not only regulate the digestive system but also help lower cholesterol, preventing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance by regulating blood sugar.
Improves cognitive functions. Another answer to the question of what the benefits of okra seeds are is that they improve cognitive functions.
Okra seeds help maintain the vitality and renew the cells in the brain and nervous system. Thanks to their rich vitamin B content, they ensure healthy nervous system function.
This has positive effects on cognitive functions, helping to prevent problems such as forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating.
Okra seeds also offer benefits such as reducing stress and preventing insomnia. Regular consumption combats dementia, a common problem with aging.
Okra seeds aid in weight loss. Consuming okra seeds is also very suitable for individuals who want to lose weight.
Because it's a high-fiber food, it takes longer to digest. Therefore, it prevents binge eating by not causing sudden spikes or drops in blood sugar levels. It also helps keep you feeling full for longer, helping you feel full.
Despite all its beneficial effects, okra seeds have a very low calorie content.
100 grams of seeds contain approximately 30-40 calories.
Therefore, it can be easily consumed by those on a diet, as it doesn't add any calorie to their diet.
Thanks to its high potassium content, it provides a diuretic effect and helps prevent edema and bloating.
How to consume okra seeds? Okra seeds can be consumed whole, either on their own or mixed with certain foods.
Consuming the seeds in whole can cause difficulty swallowing.
To make consuming the seeds easier, you can grind the okra seeds into a powder, just like you would grind black pepper.
You can mix the powdered okra seeds with yogurt or make tea by adding boiling water.
Consuming it as tea will also help meet your fluid needs.
Another consumption method is to soak okra seeds in water.
Those who prefer this method can soak the okra seeds in room-temperature water the day before, divide them into several servings, and consume this water the next day.
Which of these methods you choose is entirely up to you, and you can benefit from the positive effects of okra seeds with each method.
Of course, as with all foods, okra seeds should not be overconsumed.
You should be careful not to exceed a few tablespoons per day.
All the information provided is valid for healthy individuals, and it's best to consult a physician before starting regular use.
If you want to benefit from all these positive effects but don't want to consume okra, you can buy okra seeds and start consuming it regularly.
However, two points should be noted here.
First, those with any acute or chronic illness, those with allergic reactions, or those taking medications for any reason should consult a physician before consuming okra seeds.
Since the components contained in this food can trigger illness or interact with medications used in some illnesses, due care should be taken in this regard.
The second point is to ensure that the okra seed is sourced from a reliable source.
For this reason, it's beneficial to purchase products with known production and expiration dates from herbalists and herbal product suppliers whose reliability is assured.
Products sold loose and whose shelf life is unknown are particularly likely to contain the carcinogenic substance aflatoxin.
To avoid such negative consequences, consult your doctor before purchasing okra seed from a reliable supplier and begin using it regularly to protect your health.