Health Benefits of Lady Finger

Lady Finger earned its curious name because the edible part of the plant is long and tapered, much like the fingers of an elegant lady. Lady Finger is a wonderful source of important vitamins such as vitamins C, A, E, K, and B complex, as well as iron, calcium, potassium, sodium, copper, magnesium, selenium, manganese and zinc.

It is also low in calories and high in dietary fiber.

Okra provides numerous health benefits, including the weight loss, reduces cholesterol, diabetes, glowing skin, strengthens the bones, protect against colon cancer, lung cancer, cavities in the teeth and many more.

100 grams of raw lady finger contains only 30 calories, Carbohydrates- 7.03 g, Dietary Fiber- 3.2 gm, Folates- 88 µg, Vitamin C- 21.1 mg, Vitamin A- 375 IU, Vitamin E- 0.36 mg, Vitamin K- 53 µg, Potassium- 303 mg, Calcium- 81 mg, Magnesium- 57 mg, Phosphorus- 63 mg, Iron- 0.80 mg, Manganese- 0.990 mg, Zinc- 0.60 mg and Selenium- 0.7 µg.

Health Benefits of Lady Finger or Okra Vegetable

 Colon Cancer: -

By cleaning out the intestinal tract, Lady Finger is able to improve colon health by allowing the organ to work at a higher rate of efficiency and reduce the risk of colon cancer.

 Diabetes: -

The presence of Eugenol helps fight against diabetes. The fiber also helps stabilize blood sugar level by delaying sugar absorption from the intestines.

 Constipation: -

Okra or lady finger is one of the best vegetable sources of dietary fiber essential for the digestive system. Dietary fibers in okra help prevent and relieve constipation problem. The soluble fiber in okra absorbs water and adds bulk to the stool thus preventing constipation.

 Prevents Anemia:

The iron content of lady finger forms hemoglobin in the blood and prevents anemia. Vitamin K helps in blood coagulation.

 Weight Loss: -

The dietary fibers contained in this lady finger vegetable are best for people who are in their weight loss diet programs. Ladies finger contains no calories, hence are great for weight loss.

 Heart Disease: -

Soluble fiber in lady finger or okra helps to lower serum cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease. Eating okra is the effective control of the body’s high cholesterol level. Okra is also high in pectin that helps in lowering high blood cholesterol by altering the production of bile in the intestines.

 Hair Problems: -

Okra or lady finger can also help bring your hair back to its original state, free from dandruffs. For bouncy hair, boil water with horizontally cut okra, strain on cooling, squeeze half a lemon and use as a hair rinse. Experts say that it can even rid of lice also.

 Improve Immune System: -

The high Vitamin C content in Ladies finger helps fight cold and cough by improving healthy immune system. The Vitamin C and many essential minerals like magnesium, manganese, calcium and iron in Lady Finger fights against harmful free radicals and promotes healthy immune system.

 Improve Eyesight: -

Vitamin A and beta carotene found in lady finger are essential nutrients for maintaining good eyesight. In addition, these essential nutrients also help prevents eye related diseases such as cataracts. The Vitamin A promotes health of the eyes and protects against age related eye disorders.

 Fetus Development: -

The high amount of folate contained in the lady finger or okra is beneficial for the fetus during pregnancy. Folate is an essential nutrient which improves the development of the fetus brain. The high amount of folic acid in lady finger or okra plays an important role in the neural tube formation of the fetus throughout fourth to twelve weeks of pregnancy.