What is the function of okra mucus

Okra is a relatively common vegetable and also a very common health product. Okra is not a traditional health product, but a food ingredient that can be used as a diet therapy and Chinese medicine. The mucus in okra has a very good essence effect and can supplement dietary fiber. It also contains a variety of vitamins and trace elements, which can protect the gastric mucosa very well. There are many other effects of okra that you need to know about.

Why does okra have mucus?

In fact, this viscous liquid is one of the nutritional essences of okra, and it is rich in soluble dietary fiber such as pectin, gum arabic, hydroxymethyl cellulose, etc. When these soluble fibers are taken with meals, they will not only combine with fatty acids to reduce fat absorption and lower cholesterol; they will also absorb water and swell, increasing their volume, thereby prolonging the time that food stays in the stomach, slowing down the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, and helping to prevent blood sugar from rising too quickly after meals. Therefore, when cooking okra, do not wash off the healthy mucus in advance just to make the dish look good.

Okra

Okra Nutrition

In addition to the mucilage, okra seeds and pods are also highly nutritious. Okra pods are rich in vitamin A, carotene, vitamin C, E, etc., especially vitamin A and carotene, which are at the top among food sources. Okra seeds contain 20% protein and 20% fat. Most of the protein is essential amino acids required by the human body, and 60-70% of the fat is healthy unsaturated fatty acids.

Okra contains a sticky liquid substance, which contains polysaccharides such as pectin and mucopolysaccharides, which can enhance the body's resistance, maintain the smoothness of the synovial membrane and serous membrane in the human joint cavity, and prevent the atrophy of connective tissue in the liver and kidneys.

How to deal with okra mucus

The mucus of okra has the function of protecting the liver and stomach, so it is best to eat it. If you really don't like to eat it, you can slice it and blanch it, and most of the mucus will be removed.

Mucus contains pectin and mucopolysaccharides, which are good things for nourishing the stomach and protecting the liver. It is recommended not to remove it. If you must remove it, you can cut it into sections or strips and then blanch it in water, and there will be much less mucus.

Don't remove it, the mucus of okra is very nutritious. The simplest way is to not remove the stems first, blanch the whole thing in boiling water, then cut off the stems, and then process it.