Health Benefits of Okra (Lady's Finger)

Ladies finger is a vegetable crop which can be basically grown in tropical and sub tropical areas.

- Krishna Deepak

The origin place of okra is tropical and sub tropical Africa. Okra is grown for its young tender vegetable, used in curry and soups after cooking in Asia. Okra is also known as “Lady's finger”. This vegetable is called 'Bhindi' in India. Okra has nutritional values and health benefits. Fiber can be extracted from the stem of this plant. Okra farming is a money providing crop and can be cultivated through out the year. Okra is member of “Malvaceae” family and its genus is “Abelmoschus”. The texture of this vegetable is quite sticky and tastes very delicious specially when made them fried.India is no. one producer of okra in Asia as well as in the world. Not only in India it is also used for vegetable in Brazil, West Africa and many other countries. In India major okra growing states are basically Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.

Health benefits and uses of Okra

The health benefits and uses of Okra include the following-Okra has high fibre content.

Okra is good source of folic acid.

Okra is an excellent source of vitamin 'A', 'B', 'K' and 'C'.

It is good source of iodine which cures goiter.

Okra is beneficial for smooth hair and shining skin.

Okra is beneficial in diabetes.

Okra restricts colon cancer.

Okra helps in maintaining cholesterol level.

Okra is good remedy for prevention of skin pigmentation.

Okra may helpful in controlling asthma.