GROWER & MARKET NOTES

MOUNT MORIAH FARMS Mia graciously gave us permission to share the newest addition to their lives. There is no doubt that Remington Wade will be a fabulous farmhand!

4 . May have anticancer properties: Okra contains a type of protein called lectin, which may inhibit the growth of human cancer cells. One test-tube study in breast cancer cells found that the lectin in okra may prevent cancer cell growth by up to 63%. Another test-tube study in metastatic mouse melanoma cells discovered that okra extract caused cancer cell death.
Keep in mind that these studies were performed in test tubes with concentrated and extracted components of okra. More human research is needed before any conclusions can be drawn.

5. May lower blood sugar: Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is very important for your overall health. Consistently high blood sugar can lead to prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Research in mice indicates that eating okra or okra extract may help decrease blood sugar levels. In one study, rats given liquid sugar and purified okra experienced fewer blood sugar spikes than animals in the control group.

Researchers suggested that the okra decreased sugar absorption in the digestive tract, leading to a more stable blood sugar response. That said, okra may interfere with metformin, a common diabetes medication. Therefore, eating okra is not recommended for those taking this drug.

6. Beneficial for pregnant women: Folate (vitamin B9) is an important nutrient for pregnant women. It helps lower the risk of a neural tube defect, which affects the brain and spine of a developing fetus. It’s recommended that all women of childbearing age consume 400 mcg of folate every day. A review that included 12,000 healthy adult women found that most consumed just 245 mcg of folate per day, on average. Another study that followed 6,000 non-pregnant women over 5 years discovered that 23% of participants had inadequate folate concentrations in their blood.

7. Easy to add to your diet: Though okra may not be a staple in your kitchen, it’s quite easy to cook. When purchasing okra, look for smooth and tender green pods without brown spots or dried ends. Store them in the fridge for up to four days before cooking.
Usually, okra is used in soups and stews like gumbo. It contains mucilage, a thick substance that becomes gummy when heated. To avoid slimy okra, follow these simple cooking techniques:

• Cook okra at high heat.
• Avoid crowding your pan or skillet, as this will reduce the heat and cause sliminess.
• Pickling okra may reduce the slime factor.
• Cooking it in an acid-like tomato sauce reduces the gumminess.
• Simply slice and roast okra in your oven.
• Grill it until it’s slightly charred.

We thank you for your interest and support of our efforts to bring you the healthiest, the freshest and the most delicious locally-produced foods possible!