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You likely know okra as the vegetable that’s found in gumbo, or eaten as a side dish. But using okra as the basis for a health drink?
That’s the premise of okra water, a trend that’s racking up hundreds of thousands of views on TikTok. Users claim that chopping up okra, soaking it in water and refrigerating overnight before drinking it every morning boasts all sorts of benefits, from helping with pregnancy and diabetes to increasing vaginal lubrication and boosting gut health.
“Fans are drawn to it for its alleged health benefits like blood sugar control or gut health, and because it’s natural, easy and affordable,” says Washington, D.C.-based dietitian Caroline Thomason. But are those alleged health benefits actually true?
What is okra good for?
Okra on its own offers nutrients including fiber, antioxidants, minerals, amino acids and carbohydrates, according to WebMD. Some small studies have shown okra consumption to be beneficial for cholesterol and diabetics, though researchers stress that more studies are needed to be sure how effective it can be for blood sugar management.
Even then, experts aren’t sure how many of okra’s benefits transfer when you soak it in water, because there hasn’t been very much research to confirm that okra water offers specific advantages to humans that differ from straight-up okra. What we do know: Just as no-pulp orange juice doesn’t contain the fiber that OJ with pulp has, drinking okra-soaked water likely won’t give you the fiber that you’d get from actually eating okra.
The National Academy of Medicine suggests healthy adults drink between nine and 13 cups of water daily, so this can be one avenue to boosting your daily water intake. If you like the taste and texture of okra water, nutrition experts say have at it. Just don’t expect it to give you all the health boosts TikTokers claim it will.
“I would say most of the claims are personal testimonies rather than science-backed results,” Thomason says. “Remember that what’s trending doesn’t always have an effective or proven track record. Okra water won’t be able to replace your medications or a balanced diet, but if it helps you eat more veggies and drink more water, that’s a win.”
Who should not drink okra water?
Diet experts say okra doesn’t have a ton of cons, but those who are prone to getting kidney stones should know that the vegetable contains oxalate, which is a compound that can cause stones to form.
Remember, too, that there are easier – and more research-backed – ways to reap nutritional benefits of okra water. Namely, eating okra and drinking water on their own.
“It’s certainly not harmful, but it’s also not a magic cure for your health issues either,” Thomason says. “If you’re looking for the supposed health benefits, eating whole okra or adding more fiber-rich vegetables to your diet is a more reliable way to support your gut health and improve blood sugar levels.”