Can Okra Water Improve Digestion And Lube Up Your Vag?

Okra water is gaining immense popularity on social media for its impressive health benefits. Users on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X are touting the slimy fruit’s ability to enhance digestion, promote radiant skin, and notably improve lubrication in the vaginal area. But what exactly is this viral drink, and is it truly beneficial for your health?

Okra water is a drink made by soaking okra pods in water, usually overnight. The resulting infusion takes on a slimy texture and contains nutrients from the okra, such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, a registered dietitian and nutritionist based on the Gulf Coast, spoke to the Guardian about okra water’s powerful health benefits, noting that the viral concoction “is packed with nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, magnesium and folate.” 

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Okra is also rich in vitamin A, which has been known to have significant benefits for the skin. According to Health.com, vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for skin immunity, aiding in the fight against infections and inflammation. Meanwhile, vitamin C plays a vital role in stimulating collagen production and offers antioxidant protection against UV radiation. And while Okra is universally treated as a vegetable, because it has seeds it’s technically a fruit.

In November 2023, TikTok user @VeganPopEats shared that she had been drinking okra water daily with lemon and honey. After consistent use, she noticed her skin had a beautiful “glow.”

It may help with digestion.

The benefits of okra water do not stop there. Health experts say that okra may provide significant digestive benefits due to its high content of soluble fiber. When combined with water, this fiber forms a gel-like substance that can facilitate smoother digestion. Although research specifically on okra water and its effects on the gastrointestinal tract is limited, the bioactive compounds in okra have been extensively studied. The mucilaginous, or slimy, component of whole okra is naturally alkaline, which can help neutralize stomach acid linked to peptic ulcers in both the stomach and small intestine.

Okra water can help boost vaginal lubrication and wetness.

Here’s another intriguing benefit—some women on social media have claimed that okra water enhances their intimate experiences by improving vaginal lubrication. While there’s no scientific evidence to back these assertions, Dr. Youn mentioned in a TikTok video on May 5 that the benefits may be linked more to increased hydration from drinking more water rather than the okra itself. That’s not the only advantage—if you’re considering expanding your family, okra water may also boost fertility, studies suggest.

Have you tried okra water and seen health benefits? Tell us in the comments section.

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