Discover cholesterol-busting potential of okra

Recent research highlights the potential health benefits of okra, a green fruit often treated as a vegetable in cooking.

A green fruit often used in soups is rich in essential vitamins and may help individuals with high cholesterol, according to Abbas Kanani, a pharmacist at Chemist Click Online Pharmacy. Cholesterol is a fatty substance that our bodies produce naturally and is vital for various functions. However, elevated cholesterol levels can clog blood vessels, making it harder for blood to flow. This can lead to serious health risks, including strokes and heart attacks, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Several factors can lead to high cholesterol, such as genetics, but lifestyle choices—like poor diet, lack of exercise, smoking, and alcohol consumption—are typically the main culprits. While some individuals may require medication, cholesterol levels can also be managed through healthier eating habits and increased physical activity.

Reducing the intake of fatty foods, particularly saturated fats found in processed meats, cheese, butter, and baked goods, is effective for lowering cholesterol. Additionally, the NHS recommends boosting the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Research indicates that a specific fruit may be especially beneficial for cholesterol management by binding to cholesterol during digestion. 

Abbas Kanani, a pharmacist at Chemist Click Online Pharmacy, previously discussed okra—a flowering plant from the mallow family that is native to East Africa and commonly used in cooking as a vegetable. “Some studies have suggested that okra, also known as lady's fingers, may help reduce cholesterol levels,” he noted. “It's often added to soups and stews, and the thick, gel-like substance called mucilage in okra can bind with cholesterol during digestion, allowing it to be eliminated from the body.”

The studies Abbas mentioned were published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry in 2014, which found that feeding obese mice a high-fat diet supplemented with okra powder led to lower levels of cholesterol and blood sugar.

By Naila Huseynova