Before you take a sip , here ’s what you need to make love about one of the biggest drink movement on social media .
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Perhaps you ’ve love fresh okra in jambalaya , ourcajun shrimp and sausage stir - fry , ortoss it on the grill , as our friendTabitha Brownloves to do . But have you tried drinking okra plant ?
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Okra pee is one of the fastest - growing trends on societal medium ; it lace 470 % from June 2023 to June 2024 , according toPinterest ’s worldwide internal hunt data . So what is okra piddle , why are some people wassail it , and should you ? We speak with a couple of dietitians for the privileged scoop on okra water .
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What Is Okra Water?
None of our experts were positive about how or where the okra water trend started , but the cause appear to gain momentum after vegan subject creatorJasmine Dukeposted about it on social culture medium in February 2024 .
“ Okra is copious in folate , fiber , and vitamin C,”says Duke . “ okra plant water is an ancient remedy used to keep hormonal correspondence , ” she bestow before demo how she makes her signature tune Strawberry Lemonade Okra Water ( for those who may not be as eager to drink okra body of water on its own ) . If you pick out to wassail Abelmoschus esculentus H2O straight up , Duke explains in afollow - up videothat “ it tastes like cucumber water to me . Cucumber water is strong tasting to me . ”
For Duke ’s Strawberry Lemonade Okra Water , she recommends mixing in the juice from 6 Citrus limon , 8 chop strawberries , and adding gelt to try out .
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While Duke admits that you certainly couldcook okraand eat it to mark those same nutritional welfare , she ’s doting of okra piss since it ’s hydrating and you could eat on the gumbo after dowse .
We shared a few of Duke ’s video with Jenna A. Werner , RD , register nutritionist and creator of Happy Strong Healthy . “ This is the first clip I am find out okra water , " say Werner . " Okra is a super nutrient - heavy solid food that has a flock of cultural ties , so it ’s fun to see another agency to consume it . ”
After plunge more into the concept of okra water , Werner excuse that it ’s a “ beverage made from soaking okra pod or thinly - slit Hibiscus esculentus , which is a vegetable , in weewee , then differentiate the Hibiscus esculentus from the thick liquidness — and consuming that strained liquid . I have meet some then mix it with a footling succus or fruit to tot flavour or drink in it thick and bare . ”
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Is Okra Water Healthy?
Okra is incredibly nutrient - rich , says Laura Ligos , RDN , CSSD , an Albany , New York - found registered dietitian dietitian , two - metre cookbook generator , and the founder of The Sassy Dietitian and Unconventional Collaborative .
“ Okra is high in polyphenols , flavonoids , and antioxidants , and contains some vitamins and minerals like pteroylmonoglutamic acid , B6 , calcium , magnesium , vitamins A and C , ” says Ligos . It ’s also naturally hydrating as a food , containing 90 % piss . Plus the fibre ingredient ( okra has 3 grams per cup ) mean that exhaust okra can support digestion and result in more unchanging blood sugar .
“ Any fourth dimension we abide more unchanging roue sugar , we usually see downstream effects on thing like energy , weight going or maintenance , best sleep , and improved libido , so it ’s possible the okra water system could help with this , too , ” say Ligos , nodding to some of the claims on social media about the health benefits of okra water .
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Still , despite the fact that okra water may have been an ancient remedy , it seems to have been niche enough that there has yet to be any prescribed research on okra pee that could stand behind any of the account benefits .
“ As of now , all claims are anecdotal , as there is little to no research on okra water itself , ” say Ligos .
Who Should Avoid Trying Okra Water?
While we do n’t know of any prove benefits , the only real harm in drinking it would be if you were allergic to okra or if you have hassle digesting fructans — a specific type of gelt rule in okra . Other foods also check fructans are banana and beans , pistachios , plum tree , and wheat berry , which can cause digestive uncomfortableness for some .
Otherwise , Ligos and Werner agree that if you enjoy okra water and it encourage you to drink more water system , it ’s a win .
“ I ’m not trusted that I would recommend it , but if a client came to me and say they wanted to toast okra water supply and they had no health concerns , I ’d have them try out with it since I always want to encourage my guest to hydrate and include plenty of color via fruits and vegetable , " say Ligos . " If they retrieve it ’s a sustainable style for them to stay hydrous , then I see no harm . However , a lot of times these fads are hard for people to keep up with , and there are a lot of other victuals bedrock most hoi polloi could do good from capture ordered with before focusing on the latest societal media craze . ”
Check with Your Doctor
It ’s important to speak with your healthcare team before originate any new regimens and to supervise how much you consume . The idealistic “ superman ” of okra water will vary based on your overall hydration position and health .
“ I personally do n’t think it seems harmful , but also enquire yourself , ‘ what are my expectations when I eat it ? ’ If you are just attend for a means to advance nutrients , fiber , and hydration or enjoy okra in a young way , have fun , ” says Werner .
But if you ’re seeking a magic elixir to help you lose weightiness , eternal rest sounder , or palpate as energized as a battery - fuel bunny girl , you ’re probably setting the legal community too in high spirits .
Try Out the Trend
Here ’s how to make okra water :
