Okra is a warm-season vegetable that is widely cultivated around the world.
It is also known as lady’s fingers and is a popular ingredient in many dishes. Recently, researchers have found that okra may be beneficial for people with high cholesterol.
Okra contains a gel-like substance called mucilage which helps to lower cholesterol levels. This mucilage binds to cholesterol during digestion and helps it to be eliminated from the body through stool. This means that okra can help to reduce the amount of cholesterol in the body, which is beneficial for people with high cholesterol.
Studies have shown that okra can reduce total cholesterol levels by up to 10%. It can also reduce levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is the “bad” type of cholesterol that can increase the risk of heart disease. In addition, okra can help to increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which is the “good” type of cholesterol that helps to protect against heart disease.
Okra is also a good source of dietary fiber, which can help to reduce cholesterol levels by binding to bile acids in the digestive tract. Bile acids are made from cholesterol and can be reabsorbed into the bloodstream, so increasing dietary fiber intake can help to reduce cholesterol levels.
Overall, okra is a great choice for people with high cholesterol. It is low in calories and contains beneficial nutrients that can help to reduce cholesterol levels. However, it is important to remember that okra should be part of a balanced diet and should not be used as a substitute for other cholesterol-lowering medications.