Page 19 - samson project

OKRA

INFORMATION IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

ENGLISH SHONA SETSWANA KALANGA

OKRA DERERE DELELE DELELE

INFORMATION IN ENGLISH

Okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench (syn, Hibiscus esculentus L.), is an

important vegetable crop widely grown in tropical, subtropical, and warm
temperate regions of the world. The fruits or pods containing seeds are
harvested when immature and are eaten as vegetables. This review focuses on
the nutrient profile, bioactive components and their health effects, functional

properties of okra, and identifies some regional okra food dishes. Okra is a very
good source of dietary fiber, magnesium, manganese, potassium, vitamin K,

vitamin C, folate, B1, and B6. Studies have indicated that okra is rich in bioactive
components, such as flavonoids, especially quercetin and phytosterols. The okra
seed oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid, which is essential
for human nutrition. Okra has beneficial health benefits on diabetes and some

cancers. Okra mucilage from the immature pods was found to be suitable for

industrial and medicinal applications.

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