Did You Know...
... that a Southern soul food is actually a super food with cancer-fighting powers?
... that a Southern soul food is actually a super food with cancer-fighting powers?
Recent research reveals that okra holds potent cancer fighting potential, especially for prostate, melanoma, and breast cancers.
Okra Kills 72% of Breast Cancer Cells
In 2012, researchers discovered a new type of lectin in okra that possessed anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. In 2014, researchers found that this same lectin killed 72% of breast cancer cells in vitro and inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells by 63%.
The study, published in Biotechnology Letters, is one of the first to illustrate okra's anti-cancer properties.
Okra Slows the Spread of Melanoma by 75%
An animal study showed that another component of okra—called peptin, which is found under the skin of the pods—is made up of never—before—seen compounds that researchers theorize may help inhibit highly metastatic mouse melanoma cells.
This peptin suppressed cancer cell proliferation by 75% just 48 hours after mice were treated. And it increased cancer cell destruction 23-fold.
Okra Reduces the Likelihood of Developing Prostate Cancer by 40%
A study made up of 3,800 men and published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention showed that over the course of 10 years the Southern diet—consisting of okra, grits, cornbread, beans, rice, and sweet potatoes—reduced the risk of prostate cancer by as much as 40%.
Interestingly, the Southern diet, which also tends to be heavy in red meat and bacon, both of which are implicated in increased cancer risk, was more protective than a diet high in fruits and vegetables. Of course, more studies need to be conducted in order to determine if it was indeed the okra that imparted the most protective benefit.
Beyond its cancer fighting properties, okra is also just plain good for your whole body. Maybe that's why it's long been a traditional Southern soul food. This no fat, no cholesterol vegetable...  Is high in dietary fiber Contains 20% of the recommended daily intake for vitamin C Contains 10% of the suggested intake for vitamin B6 and folic acid Is rich in vitamin A, calcium, iron, potassium, protein and magnesium Contains just 1 gram of sugar and 4 grams of carbohydrates, making it a perfect food for diabetics and all of us who are aware of the importance of regulating blood sugar |
Add Some Okra to Your Diet
Okra, which tastes a bit like eggplant, can be eaten raw, steamed, boiled, fried, or roasted. A wide variety of fun recipe ideas are available online.
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