Okra: health benefits and harms

Okra is a vegetable crop that is common in countries with a tropical climate, but is grown under artificial conditions almost throughout the world. The official name of this plant is edible abelmosh. It is widely used in cooking, but also has valuable healing properties and has a positive effect on human health. Everything you need to know about okra, its benefits and composition, as well as on how to prepare a vegetable, hereinafter.

What is okra and how does it look

Okra is an annual, one of the representatives of the genus Abelmosh, which is included in the family Malvaceae. Fruits - a valuable culinary product from which you can cook real delicacies, if you follow the technology and the recipe. The birthplace of this vegetable is considered to be Africa, but later it was naturalized in many countries. This plant has many alternative names: gumbo, okra, ladies' fingers.

Here are the botanical characteristics of this species:

1. The height of the stems is a maximum of 40 cm for dwarf hybrids and up to 200 cm for wild species.
2. Powerful stems covered with glandular nap, which, if it comes into contact with the skin, can cause irritation and allergic reactions.
3. Leaves on long stalks, multi-lobed, dark green.
4. Large single flowers of a white or beige hue.

Particularly noteworthy is the shape of the fruit, because it is they that are of the greatest value and are used in cooking. The vegetable has a faceted, pyramidal shape, elongated up to 5-10 cm, depending on the variety and age. The surface is smooth, sometimes pubescent, green. The okra fruit looks like peppers or beans, inside there are large seeds, which include up to 40% of healthy fats, which are 100% absorbed by the body.

Where grows

This plant, which is distributed on the Eurasian continent only in the southern regions, but is cultivated artificially almost everywhere. Today, okra is cultivated in Krasnodar, in the Far East, in the southern regions of Ukraine, in the Asian part of Russia. Also, this plant in the wild is often found in some parts of America, grown in Japan, Korea and China, it is considered a traditional Thai food.

What does it taste like

Okra is a unique vegetable crop, which has practically no analogues in the plant world in terms of taste. In the CIS countries, the fruits of edible abelmosh are considered a delicacy, this is not surprising, because in the countries of Eurasia the plant is rarely found, it is mainly cultivated on special plantations where artificial conditions are created that are close to the natural environment.

The taste of the fruit is full, reminiscent of something in between the flesh of eggplant and ripe asparagus. But it is important to understand that everything also depends on the method of preparation. Depending on how the vegetable was processed, its taste will also differ.

Composition and calorie content

A plant can bring great benefits to human health if it is consumed on an ongoing basis, because it includes a full range of vitamins and minerals, as well as other organic substances. Here's what you need to know about the nutritional value of the product in question:

• 100 g of fruits account for only 25 kcal;
• fats - up to 1 g;
• carbohydrates - up to 4 g;
• protein - 2 g.

90–92% of the fruits of this tropical plant are composed of water, and everything else is dietary fiber, fiber, healthy minerals and vitamins. Scientists have long studied the composition of this extraordinary plant. The following ingredients were discovered in it:

• ascorbic acid;
• antioxidants that slow down aging and prevent cancer;
• flavonoids with antiviral and immunomodulating strength;
• folic acid;
• fat-soluble vitamins - retinol and tocopherol;
• B vitamins;
• rutin that protects blood vessels;
• potassium;
• calcium;
• magnesium;
• sodium;
• manganese;
• selenium;
• phosphorus;
• copper;
• fatty acids - polyunsaturated and monounsaturated.

Due to the fact that the plant contains such a large number of valuable substances, okra has a wide range of useful properties and protects the body from many deadly diseases. In many countries where okra is as common a product as bread and potatoes in the CIS, the longest life span is recorded. Therefore, okra is rightly called the fruit of longevity.

Useful properties of okra

General benefit

Okra is not just a vegetable and a tasty product. This is a real effective medicine that nature itself has created. If used correctly, it is capable of producing the following therapeutic effects:

1. Reduce blood cholesterol and cleanse blood vessels.
2. Improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system, preventing heart attack, stroke and atherosclerosis.
3. Strengthen the immune system, contributing to the formation of white blood cells in the body.
4. Saturate with compounds of calcium, manganese, magnesium and iron, which is useful for the nervous system, bones and immunity.
5. Due to its high content of antioxidants and vitamin C, fight inflammation.
6. Help with bronchial asthma, as well as effectively cope with dry cough.
7. To treat fever, quickly and without side effects, reduce body temperature and improve well-being in various infectious diseases.
8. Relieve spasms of the respiratory system, eliminate nasal congestion and block cold symptoms, SARS.
9. Promote skin rejuvenation, prevent the appearance of pigmentation, eliminate acne.
10. Strengthen hair and give it shine (the plant is effective against dandruff, itching and peeling, stops hair loss).
11. Improve digestion, protect the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, eliminate the inflammatory process and stimulate the production of enzymes.
12. To have a laxative effect, quickly cleanse the intestines and cope with constipation.
13. To prevent the development of colon cancer due to the large amount of fiber.
14. Protect the urinary system, prevent the formation of kidney stones, help with inflammation to cope with the infection and recover.
15. Reduce blood sugar (high fiber makes okra one of the best diabetes foods).

In addition, it is a powerful tool for removing toxins. In many eastern countries, it is used as a component to cleanse the body. In ancient times, the fruits of okra were even endowed with magical properties, because they could not explain its healing power with other arguments.

For women

For women's health, okra is an invaluable product, because it has a beneficial effect on hormones. This plant also with regular consumption produces the following therapeutic effects:

1. Protects against many cancers of the reproductive system.
2. Prevents premature aging.
3. Protects against loss of skin elasticity, wrinkles.
4. Normalizes the functioning of the nervous system.
5. Relieves of irritability.
6. Harmonizes the emotional state, prevents depressive states.

Okra should also be used by those women who plan to become mothers in the near future, because this product will help to perfectly prepare the body for such an important stage.

For men

Men should also not neglect this product, because it can bring great benefits to their health. Okra can make an invaluable contribution to life expectancy, improve endurance, strengthen immunity. Extremely important for men beneficial properties of this plant:

• protects against prostate cancer;
• prevents premature extinction of male strength, adenoma and prostatitis;
• increases potency;
• protects the reproductive system from inflammatory processes.

Okra contains the substances necessary for the full functioning of the reproductive system, which it is important to consume in large quantities with food, in order to avoid problems in this area. Also, the use of this vegetable as a whole has a beneficial effect on the well-being, endurance, and protective functions of the male body.

During pregnancy

Certain foods are strongly recommended by gynecologists to all women during pregnancy. Okra is one of such products, because it can help a woman make a healthy child and minimize the consequences of such a complex process.

Okra fruits are considered ideal food for pregnant women, rich in vitamins, zinc, magnesium and calcium. The components that make up this plant allow the fetus to develop correctly, avoid intrauterine malformations, and prevent hypoxia.

Okra in large quantities contains folic acid. This is a very valuable component for pregnant women, because it is involved in the process of cell division, due to which it helps the child to develop rapidly and at the same time supports the female body.

It is important to remember that any, even the most healthy dish can become potentially dangerous if you consume it immoderately. This rule also applies to okra. The product can be harmful if you eat more than 300-400 g every day, because it contains chlorophyll, which, when accumulated in the body, can provoke poisoning. It is also not recommended for pregnant women to use this product in a pickled form, with hot and sour sauces.

When breastfeeding

The postpartum period is a difficult time for a young mother, since the body needs emergency recovery, and all the nutrients that could be used as a resource go to the production of breast milk. That is why when feeding it is extremely important to eat balanced, using foods that are rich in minerals and vitamins to the maximum.

Okra is one of the best vegetables, which is very useful for breastfeeding, because it nourishes the female body with valuable substances. Their deficiency leads to a decrease in the quality of milk, loss of teeth and hair, skin diseases and impaired functioning of the musculoskeletal system.

During breastfeeding, you can start using okra from the third month, but you need to enter it not immediately, but gradually, increasing the amount every day. It is also important to observe the child’s reaction to the administered product, because okra, although rare, can provoke allergic reactions. Before deciding to supplement the diet with this product, it is imperative to consult a doctor in order to avoid negative consequences.

For kids

Absolutely in vain, parents refuse to introduce okra into the diet of their children because of fear of negative consequences. This product is safe. If the child does not have a tendency to allergic reactions, you can feed him periodically with the fruits of this vegetable crop from 3 years old. You can use this product periodically, but no more than 2-3 times a month.

Okra is very useful for children, as it contains a full complex of vitamins, magnesium, which is necessary for brain development, as well as fatty oils in the seeds of fruits. The active substances included in the rich composition produce the following therapeutic and prophylactic effects:

• improve memory and concentration, increase mental abilities;
• protect against infectious diseases;
• enhance the effectiveness of the immune system;
• increase appetite;
• beneficial effects on the health of the gastrointestinal tract;
• maintain microflora balance.

What is very important these days, okra protects against oncological diseases, promotes normal blood formation and supports the body during a period of intensive growth. Therefore, this product should not be excluded from the diet of a healthy child who has no digestive problems, there is no allergy to plants of the family Malvaceae. But it’s important to understand that children should not use pickled okra - a large amount of vinegar is not useful for them. In Thailand, for example, Okra is given to children from the age of 1, and no one is afraid of any negative consequences. In Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, pediatricians are frightened at the mention of any exotic fruits by parents whose children are under 6 years old.

When losing weight

Okra is an incredibly useful product for those who are fighting overweight. The low calorie content of the fruits of this plant allows you to use it in the diet almost daily without fear for the figure. Moreover, the "ladies' fingers" contain active components that stimulate metabolism, due to which the processing of subcutaneous fat into energy is accelerated. This is a great opportunity to lose weight with health benefits. That is, a person consuming okra, gets more energy due to the acceleration of metabolic processes, while he can hardly eat foods rich in fast carbohydrates and feel cheerful.

You can use this vegetable on an ongoing basis in the diet for high physical exertion, because it contains antioxidants and vitamins that promote rapid recovery and support the cardiovascular system. In addition, the fruits contain up to 10 g of dietary fiber, for the digestion of which the body spends a tremendous amount of energy. Due to this, fat burning processes are accelerated. There is another additional advantage - the presence of fiber provides a lasting feeling of satiety, and also prevents overeating.

With diabetes

In 2000, scientists for the first time seriously became interested in the ability of okra to lower blood sugar. In this regard, a large-scale study of this plant and a detailed study of its chemical composition began. Scientists were able to find out that it has the ability to stabilize blood sugar levels, so it was recommended as a component of the diet for this disease.

In clinical studies, scientists were able to find out that okra is able to increase the life expectancy of patients with diabetes, as well as prevent the occurrence of negative consequences and stop the progression of this disease.

Eat the fruits of okra only with the permission of the attending physician. It is important to strictly observe the dosage. Scientists also managed to find out that the product can negatively affect the digestibility of drugs that are used in the treatment of diabetes. In particular, okra reduces the effectiveness of metformin while consuming. This fact is also worth considering.

Another important nuance - with diabetes, you should not use this product with hot spices and vinegar, so as not to overload the body.

With diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Okra is a medicinal plant that can be used in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.The fact is that this vegetable contains mucus, which envelops the tissues lining the gastrointestinal tract, and eliminates the inflammatory process. It also has antioxidants and organic acids, which help in the fight against helicobacteria that cause gastritis, and according to one version, which is the cause of the development of stomach cancer.

With diseases of the digestive system, this plant is used not as an ingredient in the diet, but as a therapeutic agent. Here are just a few recipes that can be useful to those who want to cure gastritis, ulcers, colitis and enterocolitis without side effects.

1. Take 100 g of fresh ripe fruit, grind in a meat grinder and pour 50 ml of vegetable oil. Consume 1 teaspoon throughout the week 3 times a day.
2. Prepare the juice from the plant and drink 50 ml in the morning and in the evening, 15 minutes before eating.
3. Prepare gruel from okra fruits - grind with a meat grinder or a blender, take 200 g and mix with 2 tablespoons of cream. There is 1 tablespoon in the morning, when the so-called "hungry pains" appear especially often in people with stomach pathologies.

In addition, you must include a vegetable in your diet and use it in a boiled, baked or raw form. Such an ingredient in the diet will allow for a shorter period of time to fully restore the health of the stomach and intestines.

For diseases of the respiratory system

Okra is used in Tibetan medicine as a powerful antitussive. Scientists see this product as a possible source of useful ingredients for creating a revolutionary drug for the treatment of bronchial asthma. But while they are only developing their own versions, the whole world is actively using the fruits of okra at home to treat inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract.

In order to assess the benefits of this natural remedy, you need to use it systematically and regularly for 5-7 days. You can treat a cough with a simple mixture, which is prepared from 1 tablespoon of dry ginger powder, 50 g of okra fruits ground in a meat grinder, 1 teaspoon of olive oil and 20 g of honey. The mixture is made for 1 day, taken 1 teaspoon 4-5 times a day.

Is pickled okra useful?

Okra can be pickled in a quick way and used as a snack or canned in order to preserve its useful properties for a long time. This product is also used in salads, appetizers, served as an additive to meat and fish. The main advantage of okra is that in a marinated form, it retains its useful properties. The product produces the following therapeutic and prophylactic effects:

• boosts immunity;
• slows down the aging process;
• protects against cancer;
• stimulates the production of gastric juice and digestive enzymes;
• helps strengthen blood vessels and dilute blood;
• protects the liver.

The only drawback of pickled okra is the need to use vinegar in cooking, which is not useful to everyone. Therefore, the snack should not be consumed by those who have problems with the pancreas, stomach, gall bladder.

How to pickle

You can use for these purposes only fresh fruits that have not been frozen. You can pickle okra in different ways, but there is a classic recipe that is used by many housewives as a basis.

Ingredients:

• 0.5 kg of ripe small fruits;
• 2-3 cloves of garlic;
• 1 hot pepper;
• allspice (5–7 peas);
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds;
• 30 g of salt;
• 1 cup vinegar;
• dill greens
• 200 ml of water.

For cooking, you need to take a clean and dry liter jar, and then proceed according to such instructions.

1. Thoroughly rinse okra under the tap, let the water drain and proceed to cut the stalks.
2. Put in a clean jar chopped hot peppers, peeled garlic, dill and mustard with sweet peas.
3. On top of spices tightly lay the fruits of okra, doing it vertically.
4. Boil the marinade - bring to a boil water with salt and vinegar, pour the jar to the top and close the lid.After 2 weeks, you can eat the finished product.

To immediately eat marinated okra, you can close the jar with a plastic lid or use a steel one with a clip. But you can optionally roll up cans, sterilize and send to the cellar for storage.

Application in cosmetology

Okra is rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins and mineral compounds, due to this it slows down aging and produces a rejuvenating effect. This plant is used mainly for skin care. Based on a natural ingredient, you can prepare anti-aging masks and other care products.

Mask of okra juice and aloe

To restore complexion, improve the appearance of the skin, moisturize it and nourish it with valuable organic substances, you can use a mixture of aloe vera juice and okra. Take both ingredients in 1 teaspoon, mix and apply on a washed face, soak for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water. You can repeat this procedure 2-3 times a week. As a result, after a couple of months, you can notice that the skin is freshened, its elasticity has increased, the color has leveled off, and small facial wrinkles simply disappeared.

Problem skin rubbing lotion

You can make a tool that will help once and for all get rid of acne and other skin problems (clogged pores, oily sheen). To prepare a miraculous carer, you need the following ingredients:

• 20 g of white tea (no additives);
• 150 ml of water;
• 50 ml of fresh juice from okra fruits;
• 10 drops of tea tree essential oil;
• a pinch of sea salt.

It is necessary to pour the leaves of white tea with cold water and bring to a boil, at this moment add okra juice and boil for 1 minute. After the agent has cooled, strain it, pour into a clean glass bottle, add 10 drops of tea tree essential oil, shake and rub your face 2 times a day. Store the product for no longer than 20 days in the refrigerator.

Broth for hair

Okra fruits can be used with double benefit. If you boil them in water, do not pour it, you need to use a liquid to rinse your hair 2-3 times a week. This procedure will make them soft and obedient, help strengthen the follicles, stop the loss.

Mask for intensive hair growth

You can use the power of okra to strengthen hair and stimulate growth. This organic product will help to increase the length of hair in a short period of time. For cooking, you need to take 50 ml of okra juice or gruel from the fruit, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of castor oil. Heat the mask in a microwave oven to 40 degrees and apply on the scalp for 30 minutes, then rinse. Repeat this procedure every 4–5 days.

Harm and contraindications

In general, okra is a relatively safe plant. The only contraindication is the individual intolerance of this product. An allergic reaction is most often provoked not by the fetus itself, but by the small villi that cover its skin. They must be removed even if no one in the family is prone to allergic reactions.

Also, this plant is dangerous for diarrhea, because it additionally has a laxative effect, can exacerbate the situation. At the time of treatment of an intestinal disorder, it is better to abandon this vegetable.

With prolonged consumption, this product can lead to impaired functioning of the liver and other internal organs, as it reduces the digestibility of important fatty acids and phospholipids, blocking their access to the intestines. But this is extremely rare. In order for okra to really do harm, you will have to eat it in huge quantities every day for a long period of time.

Another disadvantage of this plant is that it contains a large amount of chlorophyll, which paints its surface in green. In small doses, this substance is safe for the body and even benefits in the treatment of cancer, in the fight against aging. But with an overdose for a long time, it accumulates in the cells of the body and can be toxic.

How to choose and store

As early as 15–20 years ago, okra could only be purchased in frozen or canned form. But with the growth of agro-technical progress, technologies have been introduced that allow you to grow crops even in inappropriate climatic conditions. Therefore, okra can be purchased even fresh - today it is often found in markets and supermarket shelves, it can be ordered in many online stores selling organic products. But it is important to know how to choose the right quality product. There are several recommendations that will help in this matter.

1. First of all, it is necessary to inspect the fruits, if they were brought from distant countries, many could be damaged during transportation. It is worth choosing only those on which there is no visible damage, they can be stored longer.
2. You need to buy only those fruits whose length is from 5 to 10 cm. If the vegetable is larger, then it will be less tasty. Firstly, mature pods are slightly bitter, secondly, fibers are felt in them, and thirdly, they will be dry.
3. It is important to pay attention to the color of the skin. It should be a saturated green color, without brownish spots, yellowed fragments, dried tips, cracks, mold.
4. The degree of freshness of the fruit can be checked by touch - if the okra has been torn off recently, its surface will be slightly rough.
5. Hard and fibrous fruits with thin peels are definitely not worth buying, they will not be tasty.

It is extremely rare on the shelves of shops to find okra of a burgundy, pinkish or even bright red hue. Do not be afraid to buy such a product - it is no less useful, differs only in variety and, possibly, the place of cultivation.

The peculiarity of this product is that it deteriorates quickly enough and begins to rot. This is one of the many reasons why it rarely appears on store shelves. Okra is difficult to transport from other countries, since during transportation up to 30% of the fruit rots, and this negatively affects the final retail cost. Therefore, it is extremely important to be able to choose a truly high-quality product, but it is also worth learning how to properly store it at home.

It is best to cook the fruits immediately after purchase, but if you need to save them, for example, for 2-3 days, you can pack in a container and block the access of oxygen with cling film. In this form, okra can retain its properties for up to 5 days. But a more reliable option is freezing, in the freezer you can save this product for up to 2 months. However, this method is not suitable if pickling is planned.

Is it possible to freeze

Since okra is difficult to find year-round on sale, you can buy and procure it for the future. In order for the vegetable to retain its taste and useful properties, it can be frozen or pickled. If marinated okra is no longer subject to heat treatment and is considered a finished dish or an ingredient for salads, then in frozen form it can be used for recipes that involve heat treatment.

In order for the fruits of okra to retain their beneficial properties in full, it is necessary to freeze them at low temperature (quick freezing). It is advisable to use vacuum bags, in them the product will retain its beneficial properties and taste to the maximum. You need to defrost a vegetable at room temperature, do not use water or a microwave to speed up the process, this will lead to a loss of taste.

How to cook okra: recipes

Okra dishes will help diversify the diet and make it more healthy. This product can be used to prepare exotic main dishes and snacks, soups are cooked from it, and used in salads. Popular recipes are described below that maximize the taste of this exotic vegetable.

Hearty Salad with Okra and Chicken Breast

To prepare this dish you need to use small pickled fruits. The salad turns out to be quite satisfying, and due to the use of this exotic vegetable, it has a spicy taste.

Ingredients:

• 200 g of pickled okra fruits;
• 400 g of boiled chicken breast;
• 1 blue onion;
• 100 g of green peas;
• 100 g canned corn;
• mayonnaise or dressing of olive oil and lemon;
• greens.

You need to chop chicken breast and okra, add peas and corn, herbs and onions. Season with mayonnaise, mix, serve.

Okra with greens

This is the simplest recipe for the preparation of this product, which retains all the power of useful properties and taste. Everything is very simple, you do not even need to calculate the proportions and measure a certain amount of products. Here is a step-by-step instruction:

1. Bring water to a boil.
2. Add salt and bay leaf, you can also allspice.
3. Boil okra fruits for 6-7 minutes in boiling water.
4. Prepare dressing - melt butter, add 2–3 garlic cloves, hot pepper rings.
5. Pour boiled fruits, sprinkle with chopped herbs and serve.

This dish is very popular in India, and curry and turmeric are also used in its preparation, but spices can be selected to taste.

Okra in tomato sauce

Okra in tomato sauce is very tasty and fragrant. For cooking, you do not need any exotic ingredients, except for okra fruits (1 kg), the following products are used:

• 3 tablespoons of tomato paste;
• 2 onions;
• 1 head small garlic;
• 3 tablespoons of vinegar;
• salt, sugar, pepper to taste.

It is necessary to fill the peeled fruits with water and add vinegar with salt. Soak okra in such a liquid for 40 minutes, and while it is insisting, prepare the sauce directly - add onion with garlic in vegetable oil, add tomato, salt and sugar, pepper and pour the fruit into the boiling mixture, after draining the water. Strain for 20 minutes, serve with herbs and sour cream.

Okra in batter

You can cook okra in batter for a casual or festive table. This appetizer will surprise guests with its unusual taste. To prepare a dish you need the following ingredients:

• 500 g of okra fruits;
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon flour;
• 1 tablespoon of milk;
• 1 cup breadcrumbs;
• 150 g parmesan;
• salt;
• cooking oil for frying.

It is necessary to rinse the fruits and cut the ponytails from them, and then dip them into a mixture of eggs, flour and milk with salt. After that, dump the vegetables in a mixture of crackers with finely grated Parmesan, dip in the batter again and dip in a bowl with breading. Fry on both sides in a frying pan or deep-fried for 5-7 minutes. Before serving, it is advisable to remove excess vegetable oil with clean paper towels.

Omelet with okra and champignons

You can cook this product with eggs, it successfully complements and emphasizes their taste. There is a very popular quick recipe for these exotic fruits.

Here are the ingredients you need:

• 300 g of okra
• 200 g of small champignons;
• 1 bunch of green onions and dill;
• 4 eggs;
• salt and pepper to taste.

First you need to rinse the okra fruits and mushrooms, and then fry them in vegetable oil so as to evaporate the bulk of the moisture, only then add finely chopped onions and dill. At the very end, reduce the heat, pour the vegetable-mushroom mixture with beaten eggs and leave to cook under the lid for another 5 minutes. Before serving, cut into slices, sprinkle with grated cheese.

Soup

You can cook incredibly tasty and healthy vegetable soup from okra fruits, which has a therapeutic effect - it boosts immunity and protects the digestive tract.

Ingredients:

• 300 g of okra;
• 1 onion;
• 1 carrot;
• 2-3 medium-sized tomatoes;
• 2 bell peppers;
• butter;
• 600 g lean beef;
• salt, pepper and herbs to taste.

First you need to pour the beef with 2 liters of cold water and put on a small fire to cook the broth. At this time, melt the butter, rinse and peel the okra, send to stew with the other chopped vegetables in a deep saucepan or pan. Salt in 10 minutes, simmer a little more and add to strained broth. Boil for 10 minutes, add chopped boiled beef, greens and serve.

Rice noodles with okra and vegetables

This dish can be tasted in any Chinese restaurant, as it is often served in the Celestial cuisine. Okra for the preparation of such a dish is used in different combinations, below is one of the popular recipes.

Ingredients:

• 200 g of okra;
• 1 carrot;
• 1 onion;
• 1 bell pepper;
• 5–7 cherry tomatoes;
• 1 hot pepper;
• 2-3 cloves of garlic;
• soy sauce;
• 300 g of cooked rice noodles.

To prepare this dish is very simple, for this you need to take a pan or a deep cauldron. In it, heat vegetable oil and fry okra with bell pepper. Add onion rings and carrots, at the very end of soy sauce, garlic and halves of cherry tomato. Simmer for no more than 5 minutes under the lid, add rice noodles and serve. You can sprinkle with grated cheese.

Interesting Facts

Despite the fact that okra is not widespread everywhere, it is still known all over the world today. This product has a rich history and continues to grow into interesting facts. Here are the most curious of them.

1. Okra became famous thanks to the world-famous science-fiction film "Interstellar", it was the only surviving view on Earth after the disaster.
2. The fruits of the plant are often used in the preparation of desserts, although they are considered the basis for salty dishes.
3. Very often, okra is used by cosmetics manufacturers. Extracts from the fruits of the plant have healing power and very effectively help to cope with various skin problems, stop the aging process.
4. This product is also of interest to pharmaceutical manufacturers, it is used in various dietary supplements and supporting vitamin-mineral mixtures.

As you can see, okra is an incredibly valuable food product that deserves to appear more often on the tables of the world's population. If you can cook it correctly, you can get all the healing potential that nature itself has laid in it. The main thing is to consume this product in moderation and do not forget that it has contraindications.

Photo of okra