But Americans call okra "plant Viagra" and the Japanese call it "green ginseng". What is so magical about okra? Is okra the delicious angel of the vegetable world, or the unpalatable devil? Many people say that eating okra can lower blood sugar. Is there any truth to this statement?

First, let’s take a look at what nutrients okra is rich in. Okra contains 4.4 grams of dietary fiber per 100 grams, compared with 1.4 grams of dietary fiber per 100 grams of celery, which is higher than the dietary fiber content of ordinary vegetables such as eggplant, pumpkin, and winter melon. Higher dietary fiber content can indeed reduce the rise in blood sugar after meals to a certain extent, lower insulin levels or improve the body's insulin sensitivity.

The unique mucus of okra contains mucus protein and water-soluble pectin, which can promote gastrointestinal motility and inhibit the absorption of cholesterol and sugar. But overall, insulin is the substance with the most powerful hypoglycemic effect found so far. Okra is neither insulin, nor is there any evidence that it can stimulate the pancreas to secrete more insulin, so it is impossible to specifically "conquer" diabetes.

However, because okra is low in calories and has no obvious effect on raising blood sugar, it can be regarded as a vegetable that is better for people with diabetes. But if you just stop taking the medicine and want to cure diabetes by just eating okra, it would be a big mistake.

In addition, because okra contains calcium oxalate, it is not recommended for people with kidney stones and high uric acid. For people with weak spleen and stomach and frequent diarrhea, it is not suitable to eat this cold food for a long time. .