Japanese fruit specializes in cleaning blood fat, very cheap in Vietnamese market

(Dan Tri) - Known as "green ginseng", this popular fruit is not only familiar in the meals of many Vietnamese families but is also the secret to a healthy and long life of the Japanese.

From Vietnamese market to Japanese dining table

In Vietnam, okra is widely grown and commonly sold in markets at affordable prices.

Retail prices typically range from 30,000-35,000 VND/kg, while wholesale prices at major markets are only 11,000-16,000 VND/kg. Therefore, okra consistently ranks among the "easy to buy - easy to prepare - healthy" vegetables.

Okra is a common vegetable in Vietnamese markets (Photo: Getty).

In Japan, okra is called okura and is an integral part of the culinary culture.

The Japanese love okra so much that they incorporate it into a variety of traditional dishes such as okura no aemono (okura salad), and simple boiled or blanched dishes.

On the Japanese Taste website, okra is also classified as "neba foods" - foods with a characteristic viscous consistency like natto, mozuku seaweed, or nameko mushrooms.

The Japanese believe that this viscosity is beneficial for the digestive system, gut health, and overall well-being. Therefore, they call okra "green ginseng," considering it a secret contributing to the high average lifespan of the people of Japan.

Natural "weapons" to help lower blood fat

Not only is okra a popular dish, but it has also been scientifically recognized for its ability to help lower blood cholesterol.

According to Healthline, the thick, viscous gel (mucilage) in okra can bind to cholesterol during digestion, preventing its absorption into the body and eliminating it through feces.

A study by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicates that soluble fiber in okra can lower LDL cholesterol – the “bad” cholesterol – thereby improving cardiovascular health.

Meanwhile, Medical News Today cited a study showing that supplementing with 1,000mg of okra powder daily helps lower both cholesterol and blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.

This mechanism makes okra a natural "cleaner," helping blood flow better and reducing the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, or stroke.

Cheap nutrition warehouse

Okra is also considered a nutritional powerhouse, containing many important vitamins and minerals. 100g of okra contains only 33 calories but provides 26% of the daily requirement for vitamin C, 26% for vitamin K1, 15% for folate, 14% for magnesium, and about 3g of fiber.

These ingredients provide many benefits:

- Helps stabilize blood sugar levels and supports the prevention of type 2 diabetes.

- Supports pregnancy thanks to its abundant folate content, reducing the risk of neural tube defects in the fetus.

- Contains polyphenols and flavonoids – antioxidants that help protect cardiovascular health, improve memory, and fight inflammation.

Some in-tube studies have also shown that lectin protein in okra may inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells.

Thanks to its rich nutrition, low calories and high fiber content, okra becomes an ideal choice for a healthy diet, both economical and effective.

Enjoy Japanese style okra

Besides the familiar Vietnamese methods of boiling and stir-frying okra, the Japanese often prepare okra as a seasoned salad (aemono).

The simple recipe includes 200g young okra, soy sauce, sesame oil, sea salt, sugar, pepper, and crushed roasted sesame seeds.

Okra, after being quickly boiled and chilled to preserve its green color, is sliced ​​diagonally and mixed with a spice blend. The dish can be eaten cold, served with rice, or as an appetizer.

This cooking method preserves the crispness and freshness while maximizing the viscous gel-like substance – the "miracle cure" that helps eliminate cholesterol. Simple yet sophisticated, this dish demonstrates how the Japanese appreciate simple foods and turn them into a secret to long-term health care.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/loai-qua-chuyen-don-mo-mau-cua-nguoi-nhat-cho-viet-rat-re-20250906075239630.htm