Okra Health Benefits For Diabetics

okra

okra





Question: Take 2 fresh okra, cut their heads and tails, put 3–4 cuts in them, and soak them in a glass of water overnight. Drink that water half an hour before breakfast. It will control your sugar level.




Quick Answer



Okra is a nutritious, high-fiber vegetable, but overnight okra water has not been proven to control diabetes. Some small clinical trials and recent reviews suggest that concentrated okra preparations may produce modest improvements in certain glucose measures, but the studies used different products and doses and do not establish this home recipe as an effective treatment.


You may eat okra as part of a balanced meal plan, but do not stop, reduce, delay, or replace insulin or diabetes tablets because you are using okra water.




Answer by Dr. Albana Greca Sejdini, MD, MMedSc



Does Okra Lower Blood Sugar?


Okra contains fiber, vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds. Its fiber may slow digestion when the whole vegetable is eaten with a meal. Human research is developing, and several trials have studied okra powders, capsules, extracts, or whole-fruit preparations as additions to usual type 2 diabetes care.


Recent systematic reviews report possible improvements in fasting glucose, HbA1c, or other metabolic markers, but results are not fully consistent. Studies differ in preparation, dose, duration, participant health, and quality. This means okra cannot yet be prescribed as a standardized glucose-lowering therapy.



What About Okra Water?


There is no established clinical dose, soaking time, or proven timing such as “30 minutes before breakfast.” Research on an overnight drink made from two cut pods is extremely limited. The slippery material released into the water is mainly plant mucilage, but we cannot assume that the drink provides the same fiber or effects as eating the entire vegetable.



  • Do not expect one glass to prevent a meal-related glucose rise.

  • Do not describe a lower reading after one use as proof that the remedy works.

  • Do not increase the number of pods or combine several glucose-lowering herbs without professional review.



Raw, Cooked, or Fried?


Okra may be eaten raw or cooked. The old claim that heat destroys a single proven “active substance” is not supported. Cooking can change texture and some nutrient levels, but cooked okra still provides useful nutrients and fiber. Frying does not make okra toxic; it simply adds oil and calories and may be less suitable when used frequently.


A practical choice is roasted, steamed, stewed, grilled, or lightly sautéed okra served with protein and a measured portion of carbohydrate.



How to Check Your Own Response Safely



  1. Keep medicines, breakfast portions, and testing times consistent.

  2. Record glucose before breakfast and at the post-meal time recommended by your clinician.

  3. Repeat the comparison on more than one day rather than relying on a single reading.

  4. Review the overall pattern and HbA1c with your healthcare professional.


A blood sugar log sheet can help you record food, medicine, activity, and readings clearly.




Medicine and Low-Blood-Sugar Safety


Okra used as food is different from a concentrated supplement. If you use insulin or a medicine that can cause hypoglycemia, such as a sulfonylurea, do not alter the dose because you start drinking okra water. Check glucose according to your care plan and speak with your clinician if readings begin falling below target.


Treat glucose below 70 mg/dL promptly according to your hypoglycemia plan. Severe confusion, fainting, seizure, or inability to swallow requires emergency help.




What Actually Helps Diabetes Control?


Use okra as one nonstarchy vegetable—not as the treatment itself. Reliable diabetes management may include an individualized eating plan, regular activity that is safe for you, adequate sleep, weight management when appropriate, glucose monitoring, HbA1c testing, and prescribed medicine or insulin.


There is no need to run for an hour every day. Choose sustainable, clinician-approved activity based on your fitness, medicines, glucose pattern, heart health, joints, and risk of hypoglycemia.



Most Asked Questions


Can okra water replace metformin or insulin?


No. It has not been shown to replace either treatment, and stopping prescribed medicine can cause dangerous hyperglycemia.


Can people with type 1 diabetes use okra?


They may generally eat okra as a vegetable, but it cannot replace insulin. Type 1 diabetes always requires insulin treatment.


Is frozen okra acceptable?


Yes. Frozen okra can be used as food. There is no evidence that frozen pods make an overnight-water remedy clinically effective.


Should I add cinnamon, bitter melon, or Gymnema?


Not without discussing the exact products with your clinician or pharmacist. Combining herbs can increase side effects, interactions, and low-glucose risk without proven added benefit.



Related Questions




Related Resources




References



  1. Therapeutic potential of okra in dysglycaemia and metabolic dysfunction: systematic review and meta-analysis.

  2. Effects of okra consumption on glycemic parameters and lipid profile in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis.

  3. NCCIH: Diabetes and Dietary Supplements—What You Need To Know.

  4. American Diabetes Association: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026, Positive Health Behaviors and Nutrition.




Answered by: Dr. Albana Greca Sejdini, MD, MMedSc

Medically reviewed by: Dr. Ruden Cakoni, MD, Endocrinologist

Last reviewed: July 2026


Medical disclaimer: Educational only—not personal medical advice. Diagnosis and treatment should come from a qualified clinician who knows the patient’s medical history.




Comments for Okra Health Benefits For Diabetics

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Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		How much water?
by: Anonymous

QUESTION: Hi,

How many ounces of water do you put the okra in?


ANSWER: Hi,

According to this recipe, you can take 2 fresh okra, cut them, and dip in 1 glass of water.

All the best!
Dr.Alba
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		What variety of Okra?
by: Anonymous

QUERYHi,

What variety of okra? I am in africa ghana we have several types, and what quantity.

How often do you use it?


RESPONSE: Hi,

Thank you for posting.

There is no specific variety of okra; You can use any available.

With regards to the quantity, you can use 2 fresh okra (big size) or 3 okra (medium size) and dip in 1 glass of water. Let it stay overnight and drink early in the morning.

You can use it on daily basis, first thing in the morning.

Take care!
Dr.Alba
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Right way to Cook Okra
by: Maxx

Please advise on the right cooking method...kind of hard to eat raw okra... Thank You!



Hi Maxx

I have posted a video on youtube, how to make okra water for diabetics.

Follow the link How to make okra water for diabetics

Take care
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		It works
by: Anonymous

Ac1 was 5.7 6 months ago. After the okra water with real cinnamon (500mg) added to the water my Ac1 test was 5.4, non diabetic. It works. A little exercise was added also. Dont give up.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		re diabetes
by: Anonymous

does frozen okra work?


Answer

Always fresh fruits and vegetables are better than frozen.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		iN THE INDIAN LANGUAGE WHAT IS okra
by: RANDHIR

I do not know what is okra in the indian language.

Answer:

Okra in the Hindu language means
लंबी भिंडी Lambī bhiṇḍī
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Temperature of water
by: Osei k

What should the temperature of the water be for soaking? Do I use cold, warm or hot water? Thanks


Hi Osei K,

You should use cold water, but not icy, neither warm or hot to keep the nutrients of okra untouched.

If it is hot at the place you are living, then, should place the water at a cool place or can use the down part of the refrigerator to keep it for 24 hours.

If it is cold at the place you are living, can leave it at room temperature.

Hope it helped!
Dr.Alba
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		The Okra Water
by: bigdog

QUESTION: Do I understand this correctly?

To make the water you first follow the directions and the following morning you remove the okra and squeeze them into a clean glass and add fresh water and then drink that? Is this correct?

I was told to drink the water that you soak the okra in after removing it the following morning.

Which of these methods is correct?

Thank you so much.

Bigdog


ANSWER: Hi Bigdog,

Both methods are the same thing. In other words, after soaking okra overnight in the water, you can use the same water and squeeze the okra and mix up with new fresh water.

Some of my patients find it difficult to take that mucilaginous drink, and they mix with fresh water.

You can have the same water or the fresh one after squeezing okra.

Be healthy!
Dr.Alba
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Okra water
by: Anonymous

QUERY: Hi,

After soaking the Okra, do you eat or throw the soaked okra away?Please advise.

Thanks.


RESPONSE: Hi,

Thank you for your query.

There is no problem in eating okra either raw or cooked. So, it's up to you on this.

The most important thing is to consume the water where the okra is soaked.

All the best!
Dr.Alba
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		i need advice for my mpm pls
by: Anonymous

QUERY: Hi doctor,

My mom is getting insulin shots, will okra work while receiving insulin shots? pls give give your advice ty


RESPONSE: Hi,

Thank you for your query.

Okra is a good solution for all patients with either type of diabetes: type 2 or type 1 diabetes (whether on insulin or not).

The effect of okra water is on blood sugar levels, and not on medications she is using.

Hope it will help your mother normalizing her blood sugar levels too!

Dr.Alba
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		okra/diabetes
by: Sherri

QUERY: Hi,

I have read several ways to prep this okra and water for diabetes...so is it supposed to be covered with something as it soakes over night?

...I have had diabetes for 26 yrs and will this remedy help with my diabetes?

RESPONSE: Hi,

Thank you for your query.

This is my way of preparing okra water based on folk advised and used with high efficacy.

It is supposed to put okra inside a glass of water and then add water until it is fully covered.

I usually recommend cover this mixture in order to:
- avoid contact with air
- avoid contamination

It has been used with efficacy for years, and I wish from deep of my heart that it will work for you too.

Okra water won't do miracle, The best results will be seen if you:
- drink okra water on daily basis
- follow healthy changes in your diet/lifestyle regimen
- continue medications as prescribed.

I advise to monitor your blood sugar as it will be reduced and you should be adjusting the dose of your medications.

All the best!
Dr.Alba
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		How long will it keep?
by: Anonymous

QUESTION: Hi,

This is for my Dad. But he is a long distance truck driver. How long would it keep. he likes taking bottled water on trips. So I could stick it in a couple of bottles before he leaves on a trip.


ANSWER: Hi back,

Thank you for taking care of your father.

If okra water will be kept fresh and cool place, away from light, he can use the water during his trip.

Until he will be back and you'll prepare another bottles for the next trip.

All the best!
Dr.Alba
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		About times of using okra?
by: dan

QUESTION: How many times i've to use it? The okra meaning if soaked to night i've to soak new one for next day?

ANSWER: Hi Dan,

Thank you for your query.

When you soak 2 or 3 pieces of okra in a glass of water, you should be use that water in the next morning at once.

However, If you prepare more okra water, then, you can use it for the next days. But, you need to refrigerate.

So, if you prepare for one week, you should take:
- 7 glasses of water (1 glass for each week day)
- and 21 medium sized pieces of okra

Hope it was of help!
Dr.Alba
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Can you mix Okra Water with a smoothie
by: Rosa Dias

QUESTION: Hi,

I want to give this to my child who is a type-1 diabetic and is 7 years old. Would it be a problem if I mixed the water with a green smoothie?

Thank you

ANSWER: Hi Rosa,

I am sorry for your honey to be a type 1 diabetic while being only 7 years old.

Yes, it is ok to give him with a green smoothie, there is no problem.

All the best!
Dr.Alba
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		okra with my medication
by: Dusek.Alexandra

i was reading on okra i do myself drink it every morning because im trying to control my blood sugar and im on a medication called JANUMET, which is of course a combination of Metformin and another drug, does the okra cancel out the effects of Metformin as ive read elsewhere?
i read: 'If you’re taking metformin and you consume too much okra, you could possibly see your blood sugar levels creep up instead of down.' on this website listed below.
i dont want to drink it every morning if the effects are like this can you help me understand.

http://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/okra#Research2
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		times to take it
by: Anonymous

How many time for the day can I take the okra water?
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Does OKRA Water works with English Medicine
by: SM Alamgir

Hello Doctor,
Thank you very much for your Valuable prescriptions to all readers.
I have been suffering from Type 2 Diabetes for last 11 years. My Blood Sugar is controlled by taking GLUCOVANCE 500mg/2.5mg twice daily. Meanwhile, I know the benefit of OKRA for controlling Blood Sugar Level. Please advise me would I take OKRA Water regularly along with my medication?
Thank you very much.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Slicing okra into pieces instead of making a slit
by: Anonymous

hi!

I've been using okra water for my husband.The way I do it is that I cut the both ends of okra and after that I slice them into probably 3 to 4 pcs. and then soak it in water over night.Is my method correct?

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