Doctor 24/7: Is okra water really good for diabetics?

'I heard that okra water is very good for people with diabetes, is this true? Should people with diabetes drink okra water, if so, how should they drink it? Thank you, doctor!'. (T.Khang, in Ho Chi Minh City).

Dr. Do Minh Son, Specialist Level 1, 315 Medical System, answers: First, let's find out what components are in okra?

Okra contains soluble polysaccharides (galactose, rhamnose, arabinose, galacturonic acid), soluble fiber (pectin, cellulose, hemicellulose), antioxidants (quercetin, isoquercitrin, kaempferol), and other vitamins and minerals. These substances help stabilize blood sugar, improve digestion, and protect the cardiovascular system. Note that these nutrients are mainly found in the fiber and flesh of the okra pod, so drinking okra water (without the flesh) will significantly reduce its effectiveness.

Okra is rich in nutrients that are beneficial for people with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Photo: AI

Theoretically, okra is clearly beneficial to our health, especially for people with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that consuming about 10g of okra powder (equivalent to 10 okra pods) per day can help control blood lipids and blood sugar.

Therefore, okra is a good food, beneficial for the health of people with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It is recommended to eat whole okra pods, and not to drink okra juice because the nutrients are concentrated in the flesh of the pod.

Ways to prevent diabetes

According to Doctor Minh Son, diabetes is classified into several types, including: type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and diabetes due to other causes.

Depending on the specific type of diabetes, there are different ways to prevent it. The most common type is type 2 diabetes, and it is becoming more prevalent among younger people.

Risk factors that increase the risk of type 2 diabetes:

• Obesity.
• Lack of exercise.
• Smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol.
• Stress and prolonged insomnia.

According to Dr. Minh Son, to prevent diabetes, people should eat healthily to avoid excess energy intake and visceral fat accumulation leading to obesity; exercise regularly; avoid smoking, including e-cigarettes; limit alcohol consumption; balance work and life; and avoid prolonged stress leading to insomnia, depression, and anxiety.

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Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bac-si-24-7-nuoc-dau-bap-co-that-su-tot-cho-nguoi-benh-tieu-duong-185251024085513284.htm