Okra

Okra. Abelmoschus esculentus. , The word okra is from the Igbo ọ́kụ̀rụ̀. In the English Caribbean Islands and Nigeria it's called okro. In various bantu languages, okra is called (ki)ngbombo, possibly the origin of "gumbo" which is okra is an ingredient in. Okra may have been introduced to southeastern North America from Africa in the early 18th century. By 1748, it was grown as far north as Philadelphia. It became commonplace throughout the southern United States by 1800. The plant and its seed pods are also known as "lady's fingers.", Okra contains potassium, vitamin B, vitamin C, folic acid, and calcium. It is low in calories and has a high dietary fiber content. Phytochemical studies show that okra pods contain flavonoids, tannins, sterols, and triterpenes. Flavonoids are important compounds responsible for protecting tissues from oxidative damage in a variety of ways. Quercetin is the major antioxidant in okra gum, which is a key player in controlling inflammation of the body., Roasted okra seeds, which have long been used in Turkey to treat diabetes, have also been proven to have a positive effect on lowering blood sugar. Popular forms of okra for medicinal purposes include okra water, okra peels, and powerful seeds., The power of okra lies in its use to mitigate malnutrition and alleviate food insecurity in developing countries.