HAVE YOU TRIED THE TRENDING OKRA WATER? A DIETITIAN WEIGHS IN...
| Published date | 26 April 2024 |
| Author | Vuyile Madwantsi |
| Publication title | Mercury |
Despite it being a fruit, scientifically, thanks to its seeds, okra is mostly used as a vegetable in cooking.
The hashtag #okrawater is booming on TikTok, with the most popular videos racking millions of views from users eager to share the supposed health benefits. However, the evidence behind these health claims is murky and the excitement on social media may not be backed by solid science.
To uncover the truth about okra water, Independent Media Lifestyle spoke to Mpho Tshukudu, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Association for Dietetics in South Africa.
Tshukudu weighed in on the health trend that’s taken TikTok by storm.
According to social media, the okra pods are steeped in water until mucilage, a gel-like substance, forms.
It is produced when the okra is immersed or cooked in water or an aqueous solution, for example, tomato sauce. Mucilage has prebiotic activity (prebiotics are beneficial to the gut bacteria and improve gut and overall health); mild laxative effects, that can soften the stools to relieve and prevent constipation; and can lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, Tshukudu said.
What scientific evidence currently supports the health benefits linked to drinking okra water?
Researchers have studied okra in its whole form – including the pods, seeds and slimy substance known as mucilage. Most of these studies have not focused specifically on okra water.
The health benefits we discuss with okra are usually found when consuming the entire vegetable, not just the water it’s been soaked in, explained Tshukudu.
The supposed health benefits of okra are wide-ranging. They include managing chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease and digestive issues. Okra is also said to help with fatigue, detoxifying the liver, fighting bacteria and even preventing cancer.
According to Tshukudu, these benefits are due to the nutrients and bioactive components found in the whole vegetable.
They include vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, folate, C and K, and minerals like zinc, calcium, iron, manganese and magnesium. Additionally, okra contains fibres, prebiotics, polyphenols and antioxidants, all of which contribute to its health-promoting properties.
Are there any potential side effects or individuals who should...
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