Okra water is a big Internet thing now. Drinking water in which okra has been soaked overnight will make “diabetes go away” and the diabetes sufferer will never have to take insulin again.
The truth is okra may have some beneficial effect in helping to regulate blood sugar levels, but it can’t “cure diabetes” or eliminate the need for diabetics to take insulin.
Okra contains potassium, vitamin B, vitamin C, folic acid, and calcium. It’s low in calories and has a high dietary fiber content.
Medical research on okra for diabetes management is still in early stages. According to one study, okra water improved the blood sugar levels of pregnant rats that had gestational diabetes (1).
Roasted okra seeds, which have long been used in Turkey to treat diabetes, have also been studied and proven to have a positive effect on lowering blood sugar (2, 3).
HOW TO MAKE OKRA WATER
Drinking “okra water” is a popular new method of using okra. So in a nutshell, if your looking to add a healthy vegetable to your diet that can help reduce blood sugar spikes, sure, add some okra water to your diet.
The drink is made by putting okra pods in water and soaking them overnight. Some of the valuable nutrients in the skin and seed pods will be absorbed into the water.
If you’re not crazy about the taste of okra, drinking this okra water solution is a quick and simple way to derive the benefits of okra without eating it.
Preparing Okra Water For Diabetes Treatment
Although there is, so far, only anecdotal evidence of okra water being used to treat diabetes in humans, there’s no reason why you can’t give it a try yourself. Some people claim that okra water can help stave off the development of type 2 diabetes, and help individuals maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Preparing okra water is an easy step by step process:
Wash 4 or 5 medium-sized okra pods.
Clip both ends off the pods, then split the pods in half or pierce each side of the pods with a knife.
Place the pods in a large mason jar, then cover them with water.
Soak the pods overnight, at least eight hours (up to 24 hours).
In the morning, squeeze the pods into the water to release any leftover sap.
Throw the pods away and drink the water.
What To Do When Fresh Okra Isn’t Available
Because okra is a seasonal vegetable, it may not be available or affordable year round. While most of the research on okra’s anti-diabetic properties focus on fresh okra, you can also try using freeze-dried or canned okra to create okra water. Combining okra water with other methods of treating or preventing diabetes may give you better overall results.
Safety Concerns
It is important to note that while okra water may be right for you if you are managing your diabetes through diet and exercise, it isn’t always safe to consume if you’re also taking specific diabetes drugs.
Metaformin in particular can interact unfavorably with okra – okra water may interfere with the drug’s ability to affect your blood sugar levels, causing your levels to rise instead of fall. Always be sure to consult with your doctor before starting any new treatment, especially if you’re on specific medications already.
Okra water also isn’t a cure-all; there’s no substitute for a healthy diet and plenty of exercise, after all! While okra water may be able to help lower blood sugar levels, drinking it doesn’t give you a free pass to consume sugary and processed foods in abundance.
Be aware of what you’re eating and manage your diet according to your body’s needs and you’ll be surprised how great you feel!
Note: Claims of “miracle cures” always need to be taken with many grains of salt. If the way to make diabetes “go away” were truly as simple as drinking a glass of okra water every day, this would be a fact that doctors would advocate and every diabetic would know by now, especially with the advent of the internet, don’t you think?
source:http://www.lifehealthandfood.com
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