Okra is a nutritious food and is often recommended in the daily diet. However, for people with diabetes, the consumption of okra should be considered if they do not want to affect their health.
Accordingly, there are 3 reasons why people with diabetes should consider and limit eating this type of food, according to Healthline.
Affecting treatment effectiveness
One of the reasons why people with diabetes should limit their intake of okra is because this food can reduce the effectiveness of medication.
Some studies have shown that okra contains soluble fiber that slows the absorption of sugar in the blood. This can also affect the absorption of some diabetes medications, especially metformin, a common drug used to control blood sugar.
Eating too much okra can reduce the effectiveness of treatment, make blood sugar levels difficult to control, and increase the risk of other complications. Therefore, consult your doctor about adding okra to your diet.
Effects on kidney health
People with diabetes are at risk of kidney problems. Regular consumption of okra can increase this risk. This is because okra contains a significant amount of oxalate which can lead to kidney stones.
For people with diabetes, high oxalate consumption can make kidney conditions worse.
Many studies have shown that long-term consumption of oxalate can lead to the accumulation of crystals in the kidneys, facilitating the formation of kidney stones, thereby impairing kidney function.
Therefore, patients need to consider consuming okra if they do not want to have kidney problems.
Bad for digestion
Although okra contains a lot of fiber, which helps support the digestive system and intestines, consuming too much will have the opposite effect, especially for people with diabetes.
The fiber in okra can cause bloating, gas, or diarrhea when the body cannot fully digest it.
In addition, okra also contains fructans - a type of carbohydrate that can cause discomfort for people with sensitive digestive systems.
In particular, people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other digestive problems will experience increased discomfort when consuming okra regularly.
