Edible okra is a green flowering plant often used as a vegetable in cooking. And social media users recently dubbed the popular food “natural Ozempic” due to the belief that it can help lower body fat levels, reduce food cravings and even help balance blood sugar levels.
Woman`s World (16+) spoke with experts to determine whether okra is truly the affordable solution for weight loss and hormone balancing that the internet claims.
How Okra Promotes Healthy Weight Loss
The question on many people's minds is whether this food, called “natural Ozempic,” can actually help with weight loss. There's no conclusive data yet to prove that okra causes weight loss, but it has several qualities that make it a potentially beneficial food if you're trying to control your weight, says Raj Dasgupta, MD.
And while it's not a magic bullet, the plant can certainly be part of a smart, balanced approach to weight loss, he adds. Here's how it can help:
- Fiber can slow digestion, help you feel fuller longer, and reduce the urge to snack, says Dr. Dasgupta.
- It is a low-calorie product, so you can add it to your meals without overloading your energy.
- It stabilizes blood sugar levels, blocking cravings for sweets.
- Okra is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances, which is important since chronic inflammation is associated with weight gain and insulin resistance.
- It may slow down fat absorption.
How to Eat Okra for Weight Loss
While some social media users have lost weight using okra water, others are using it to make regular dishes, such as fried or baked.
Traditional fried okra, while delicious, is typically battered and cooked in oil, which adds a lot of calories and unhealthy fat, so you're likely negating any potential health benefits, an expert says.
To get the most benefits, choose easier cooking methods. Roasting in the oven with olive oil and seasonings is a great option. You can also grill it or add it to vegetable-heavy dishes such as soups and stews.
