Drinking okra water could help regulate cholesterol levels and protect your gut (Image: Getty)
A doctor has revealed that combining an unusual with water could make for a healthy “slime” with the potential to lower and protect your . In a video shared on social media, well-known surgeon Doctor Karan Raj explained the benefits of mixing okra and water.
Eaten and prepared more like a , even though it is botanically a fruit, okra is popular in many African and Indian dishes.
Also known as lady’s fingers, it contains a slime-like substance known as mucilage which is similar to the gel found in aloe vera plants.
While this may seem unappetising, it is this slime that could be extremely good for you.
In response to another content creator’s video about drinking okra and water, Dr Raj said: “If you drink okra water, it could actually be good for your gut health. This forbidden okra slime isn’t totally useless.”
Okra water @victoria__benitez
The girl from the original video made okra water by cutting the okra into thin slices and dropping this into a glass of water, allowing the slime to seep out. Dr Raj continued: “This plant lube found inside okra is actually called mucilage and it acts like a soluble dietary fibre and a prebiotic.
“When exposed to water it forms a gel, which makes your stool soft, juicy and regular. It also slows down the transit of food in your gut keeping you fuller for longer.”
Perhaps even more surprising is its effect on cholesterol levels. Dr Raj said: “Just like soluble fibre mucilage helps to regulate cholesterol levels.” This claim is backed by one scientific study published in Global Journal of Medical Research: Interdisciplinary in 2014.
Researchers found that mucilage can help lower cholesterol by binding to it during digestion. This is because it helps cholesterol leave the body through your poo.
Dr Raj added: “It also acts like a prebiotic, fibre and feeds your gut bacteria.” However, he said that you don’t need to drink okra water to get the fruit’s benefits.
“You will get far more gut health benefits eating cooked okra versus drinking okra infused water, but this is one of those trends that won’t send you to the emergency room and maybe somewhat beneficial if you can bear the taste or texture,” he said.
“If you do this just cut the okra into pieces and immerse it in water for several hours. More water equals more slime equals more goodness. You can also find this mucilage slime in chia seeds, flax seeds, psyllium husk and aloe vera.”