What is okra like

Gastrointestinal problems: Okra contains fructans, which is a type of carbohydrate. Fructans can cause diarrhea , gas, cramping, and bloating in people with existing bowel problems.

Kidney stones : Okra is high in oxalates. The most common type of kidney stone consists of calcium oxalate. High oxalate foods, such as okra and spinach, may increase the risk of kidney stones in people who have had them previously. Inflammation : Okra contains solanine, which is a toxic compound that may trigger joint pain, arthritis , and prolonged inflammation in some people.

Potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, blueberries , and artichokes also contain solanine. Blood thinners help prevent the formation of blood clots that can lead to a stroke or heart attack. People who use blood thinners or who have a risk of blood clots should maintain a regular consumption of vitamin-K-rich foods. For most people, okra, like other vegetables, is a healthful addition to the diet.

As with any food or nutrient, it is best to eat it in moderation and as part of a varied, balanced diet. However, some people should talk to a doctor before consuming okra as it may cause adverse effects. What are some of the best foods for a healthful diet that will help you live a long and happy life? Read on to learn which dietary staples to keep in….

Spinach is a dark, leafy green vegetable that is packed with vitamins and other nutrients. A superfood, spinach has a range of health benefits…. If you're wondering what foods you should be including in your diet, look no further.

We cover an A to Z of popular healthy food items. Okra has a history in traditional medicine, but is it good for people with diabetes to have in their diets?

This article examines okra and diabetes. Kale is a leafy green vegetable with a wide range of nutrients that may offer a variety of health benefits. Here, learn more about kale and how to…. Benefits and uses of okra. Medically reviewed by Natalie Olsen, R. Nutrition Benefits Buying and using okra Recipe tips Risks and precautions Takeaway We include products we think are useful for our readers.

Share on Pinterest The lectin in okra may reduce the risk of certain cancers. Buying and using okra. Recipe tips. Risks and precautions. Latest news Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Related Coverage. Both are very mild with an earthy, sometimes bitter taste. Okra is also slightly grassy and refreshing in a green veggie sort of way. The more lightly it's cooked, the more obvious these flavors will be, though you might get more bitterness.

See Also: How to Freeze Okra. The flavor of okra is not nearly as renowned as the texture. It's known as a slimy vegetable actually, it's technically a fruit the same way a cucumber is a fruit. The "meat" of okra is firm, but it emits a slick substance called mucilage.

It's a little like aloe vera gel. Generally, it shouldn't be overwhelming, and your okra will also be crunchy or super soft depending on how you cook it.

Yes, you can eat okra raw. You may like it in a salad bowl with fresh sweet corn, black beans and avocado. Add some cooked quinoa or rice and a zesty dressing and you've got yourself a good lunch. Other ways of eating fresh okra entail raw soups and salsas. Pickling okra is also common, which is a take on eating it raw. Pickled okra is great in sandwiches, on veggie burgers, and in fancy appetizer platters with marinated olives, cashew cheese and French bread.

If you're into raw recipes for its convenience and health benefits, check out our list of the best raw food cookbooks for vegans. Good okra should be a vibrant green color and feel firm to the touch. Okra has a mild, almost grassy flavor that is uniquely okra. While it's sometimes compared to the taste of eggplant or green beans, its texture gets more attention. Okra is crunchy when cooked quickly but becomes almost mouthwateringly tender when slow-cooked.

As you learn how to cook okra, gumbo and fried okra should definitely be on your recipe list. From there, you'll enjoy trying okra in a variety of other dishes, including:. Fresh okra should feel firm but not hard. Look for bright green pods with unblemished skin. A little browning on the stem shouldn't be a concern, though the greener it is, the fresher the okra. It's not a highly popular fruit, and not all grocers stock it fresh.

The best chances of finding it would be May through September when it's in season. A lot of grocery stores sell it precut and frozen in to ounce bags. Okra is a drought-resistant annual that thrives in warm, humid weather.

It will produce edible seed pods after a pretty white, yellow, pink, or red hibiscus-like flower emerges. When temperatures reach 80 degrees and higher, it's a good time to plant seeds or starter plants that you've grown indoors in rich, organic soil and in a spot that gets full sun. Okra can be stored in your refrigerator's vegetable compartment in paper bags for up to four days. You can also wrap it loosely in plastic. When you're ready to prepare it for cooking, remove it from the fridge and bring it up to room temperature first.

This will reduce the amount of moisture released from cooking. Gardeners who have an over-abundance of okra which is often the case as pods tend to mature all at once can freeze them for up to a year. To freeze okra , wash and stem the pods, blanch in boiling water for a few minutes, dunk them in an ice water bath, chop, and flash freeze before packing in freezer bags. Or follow the lead of Southern cooks, who fry or bake battered pods before freezing. The green okra is the most common form found in the U.

You may even come across purple okra, which should look as fresh as the green variety when selecting it at the market. The use of hibiscus esculentus Okra gum in sustaining the release of propranolol hydrochloride in a solid oral dosage form.