The okra is a vegetable little known in Italy but that is taking more and more space thanks to the import and thanks to its delicate taste.

In the kitchen of other countries such as India, Brazil, Turkey, Africa, Greece and Bulgaria it is of traditional use and is called in many different ways: lady's fingers for its tapered shape reminiscent of the fingers or Kombo or Gombo or even Quiabo. Its scientific name is Abelmoschus esculentus and belongs to the Malvaceae family.

Okra and intestine

Its main action is the regulation and the intestinal rebalancing given by the presence of its active ingredients that act on the mucous membranes of the entire gastrointestinal tract.

In fact, the presence of mucilage allows to cover this mucous membrane with a protective film that is able to heal any smaller wound, ulcer or irritation that is found along the gastric and intestinal tract.

In addition to soothing the bowel when irritation and burning are present, it also becomes excellent to help eliminate abdominal swelling . Its mechanical action makes the okra a carminative that favors the elimination of intestinal gases .

On the one hand the presence of fibers helps intestinal motility and thus regulates intestinal transit, favoring the escape of feces, on the other hand the mucilage softens and soothes this path favoring also a good transit and avoiding irritation, burning or abdominal pain.

Okra mucilages are also helpful in reabsorbing water and even in invoking metabolic toxins, bile and excess cholesterol thus allowing a completely natural exit from the body through the faeces. The okra with a slightly laxative action and this cleaning ability is able to purify our body in an effective but gentle way without incurring the use of purgatives or overly aggressive detoxifiers.

Thanks to the presence of mucilages that recall water, it also avoids dryness of the intestine and feces making it an excellent remedy for constipation.

Its action as an intestinal regulator is truly excellent, soothes, softens, refreshes and helps the healing of the entire gastrointestinal tract. Finally it has a beneficial action on the good bacterial flora present in the intestine because its active ingredients and these mucilages favor the proliferation of the friendly bacteria of the human body.

Composition of the okra

In the okra we find many vitamins including vitamin A, C, K and B6 and mineral salts such as calcium and zinc which support many functions of the body including supporting the sight and the skeletal system.

The okra contains a good part of folic acid which is an indispensable substance for women who want to have a baby or who are in the first stage of gestation.

Another important substance found in okra is myricetin which is able to rebalance the circulating sugars in the bloodstream thanks to a direct action on the muscles that facilitates their absorption. This explains the balancing action of sugars and cholesterol in the bloodstream.

Its composition is also rich in fiber and this makes the okra also a light vegetable with few calories and suitable for those who want to lose weight. The okra thanks to its composition favors the elimination of excess fats from the body thus helping a gradual and natural weight loss.

Finally the okra is also useful against seasonal ailments because it helps the proliferation of probiotic bacteria and therefore benefits in the intestine, thus activating a better balance of intestinal flora. This action of favoring the good bacteria present in our body is at the base of the efficacy as a rebalancing of the intestine and of the whole body by the okra.