Nothing can beat a refreshing and nutritious okra smoothie on a hot summer’s day. If you have an abundance of okra pods, you can choose to make okra juice, also called okra water, which is becoming a sensation in the world of health and fitness nowadays. That’s cool!
Well, this drink may not seem appetizing like the other veggie or fruit juices, but you should give it a go because of all the benefits it offers you.
And that’s why I’m over here to help you out in making okra juice within the next 10 minutes. Stick to me till the end!
Out of the numerous health benefits of okra smoothie, its anti-diabetic potential is the most interesting one.
So, in this article, I’m going to go over a simple 5-step process of how to make okra juice and some other excellent health benefits of drinking okra juice. Without further ado, let’s start digging a bit deeper into it!
For Short Time Readers
Here’s an easy, nutrition-packed okra juice recipe:
Prep time: 5 mins.
Total time: 5 mins.
Serving: 1-2 servings.
Nutritional Value (Per Serving):
- Calories: 221.
- Carbohydrates: 55g.
- Protein: 4g.
- Fat: 1g.
Ingredients:
- 4-5 fresh okra pods.
- 1 cup of water.
- 2 carrots.
- 1 banana.
- 1 pinch of fresh ginger. (Want to know how to make ginger root juice?)
- Salt (optional).
- Pepper.
- Add a few leaves of baby spinach, wheatgrass, or beet greens. (For extra nutrition).
- You can also add some of your favorite nuts and seeds. (optional).
Let’s get to the steps to make okra juice:
Step 1:
First off, take the okra pods, apples, bananas, and carrots and rinse them thoroughly. Then, cut them well into pieces.
The sweetness of the apples and banana will help hide the bitter taste of the sliced okra.
Plus, the banana will give the smoothie a little bit of creamy flavor.
Step 2:
Put all the ingredients into a blender or juicer. Simply blend them together for around 30 seconds until it’s smooth.
Step 3:
Strain off the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a container if you want to remove any seeds.
Or, you can avoid the straining process and drink the juice straight up.
Step 4:
Pour the okra smoothie over the ice cubes into a tall glass.
Step 5:
Serve with a straw and drink this nutrient-dense beverage instantly to reap the highest benefits out of it.
Make sure you drink your fresh okra juice instantly for optimal taste and nutrition.
Notes:
Typically, people want to drink okra juice to improve their blood sugar. So you may also want to avoid sweetening the drink.
However, if you want to add a sweetener, you can mix honey or agave with the smoothie.
Drink the okra slushy once daily if you’re trying to lower your blood sugar.
Though much research is needed, you may notice an improvement in your blood sugar if you drink a glass of okra juice daily. Drink it in the morning before having breakfast.
Warnings:
If you’re taking metformin for diabetes, consult your doctor prior to adding this drink to your diet. Because okra might block the metformin in your intestines.
Some phenomenal health benefits of drinking okra juice:
- As okra is extremely low in calories and contains no fat or cholesterol, okra juice can be a great bet for those who are trying their heart and soul to reduce body weight.
It may surprise you that 100 grams of okra only contains 7.45 grams of carbohydrates. Could you believe it?
This is because okra, a non-starchy food, is considered a safe solution for diabetics, according to American Diabetes Association.
- As this veggie juice is abundant in both soluble and insoluble fiber, it can help regulate cholesterol and keep your sugar levels in check. That’s very good news for people with high cholesterol and diabetes.
It can also make you feel full for longer, preventing you from overeating. So, overall, it helps you ensure healthy weight management.
- Plus, it is loaded with the antioxidants-lutein, xanthin, and beta-carotene, all of which work wonders for the health of our vision and help prevent eye problems like glaucoma and cataract.
The antioxidants prevent aging and also play a significant role in reducing the risk of various diseases, including heart disease and certain cancers.
- In addition, this wonderful vegetable juice is chock full of vitamins A, C, and E, which are extremely useful to our skin’s health and mucous membranes.
Vitamin C contributes to your overall immune function as well.
- It also assists in healing digestive issues.
- Okra is also a powerhouse of vital nutrients such as flavonoids, folates, protein, and B-complex compounds. B vitamin slows down the progress of diabetic neuropathy and reduces levels of homocysteine, a risk factor for this disease.
- It’s a wealthy resource of Vitamin K, which is especially essential for healthy blood.
- It contains the minerals – calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, iron, and zinc too.
- It is also dense in anti-inflammatory properties, making it a healthy addition to an ideal diabetes diet.
Notes:
Recent research showed that consuming okra regularly can decrease the likelihood of kidney disease.
Another study says that both the peel and seeds of the okra plant have qualities that can assist in controlling diabetes.
In traditional medicine, okra was also used to treat diarrhea, urinary tract infections (UTIs), sore throats, inflammation of the mucous membranes, as well as fever and headache.
Frequently asked Questions (FAQ):
What are the side effects of eating okra?
Eating too much okra juice can be detrimental to some people. Okra has a type of carbohydrate called fructans, which can cause gas, diarrhea, and cramping in people.
As okra is a rich source of oxalates, it can cause kidney stones as well.
What happens to your body when you eat okra every day?
Okra contains a protein called lectin which fights against cancer cell growth. Thus it helps in preventing breast cancer.
Does okra help sexually?
As okra is high in magnesium, it’s a natural relaxant. It’s also loaded with iron, zinc, and folate; all of which help keep your sex organs robust and healthy. And that’s why you can call it a vegetable of love.
What is the best time to drink okra water?
Some people having diabetes have reported that if okra juice is taken in the morning on an empty stomach, then it can help improve blood sugar levels.
Is it safe to eat raw okra?
Yes, it is. Okra pods are a rich source of vitamins A and C, antioxidants, fiber, and minerals. So, you can even eat raw okra pods.
Remember, less cooked okra is always better for you.
Is okra good for high blood pressure?
As okra is a Magnesium-rich food, it can help you lower your blood pressure level in the body.
Is okra good for your skin?
Absolutely! Okra juice is enriched in vitamin C, vitamin K, folate content, and antioxidants like B1 and B2.
Recent studies showed that the vitamin C content of okra could help keep your skin conditions healthy.
How long can you keep okra water?
Okra juice or water will last up to 1-2 days if stored properly in the refrigerator.
Is okra good for kidney disease?
Okra helps prevent kidney disease and patients who ate okra daily had decreased signs of kidney damage.
Final Words:
Okay, now that you’ve come to know how to make okra juice and many more things by going through this whole article carefully. Hopefully, you’ll be able to make it at home with ease and make the most out of it.
My heartiest gratitude to you for putting lots of your valuable time and effort into reading this post.
And do you have any other questions related to okra juice? Please, do let me know in the comments section below. I will always be right there to help you out. Have a nice day, thanks!!!