Eating one unpopular vegetable 'promotes weight loss and lower cholesterol' says doctor

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A doctor has shared the benefits of an unpopular plant that can help to promote gut health and weight loss and lower cholesterol.

Okra is often sneered at by fussy eaters thanks to its slimy texture. However this slime, called mucilage, contains soluble dietary fibre which is excellent for wellbeing.

Mucilage has recently gained attention on social media, with people adding okra to water before straining out the plant to create a viscous drink that they claim has positive effects on overall health. Taking to TikTok, Dr Karan Raj spoke out about the benefits of this drink.

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"If you want to improve your gut health, drinking okra water might actually help," he said. "When you mix okra's mucilage with water, it forms a gel-like substance in your gut and this gel absorbs water, bulking up your stool to make it thick and juicy."

However, he stressed that the advantages of mucilage don't stop there. "It also acts as a prebiotic buffet for your microbiome, allowing beneficial bacteria to thrive.

"It also slows down gastrointestinal transit. That's a fancy way of saying food takes longer to pass through your digestive system. You're fuller for longer, which can aid with any weight loss effort.

Mucilage also binds to cholesterol in your gut, which Dr Raj says can help to lower to lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels. But not everyone was convinced.

Taking to the comments of Dr Raj's video, one person wrote: "Can’t you just eat okra?" while another person added: "I know you’re right but that slime is unbearable."

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Meanwhile a third chimed in: "Sorry but I can't drink slime." However, some viewers were more on board, with one person writing: "Never heard of okra water! Can't wait to try this for my gut health!"

If drinking this viral concoction doesn't sound like something you'd enjoy, the medical professional stressed there are other ways to reap its benefits. "If drinking okra-infused water feels like sipping vegetable-flavoured regret, you'll be pleased to know that cooking and eating okra is actually even better for you," he said.

"It still delivers mucilage, along with micronutrients and insoluble fibre." Dr Raj said you can also get mucilage from other plant sources, including aloe vera, psyllium husk, flaxseeds and chia seeds.