Japanese fruit specializes in cleaning blood fat, very cheap in Vietnamese market

(Dan Tri) - Known as "green ginseng", this popular fruit is not only familiar in the meals of many Vietnamese families but is also the secret to a healthy and long life of the Japanese.

From Vietnamese market to Japanese dining table

In Vietnam, okra is widely grown and sold in markets at affordable prices.

The retail price usually fluctuates around 30,000-35,000 VND/kg, while at wholesale markets, the wholesale price is only 11,000-16,000 VND/kg. Thanks to that, okra is always on the list of vegetables and fruits that are "easy to buy - easy to prepare - good for health".

Okra is a popular fruit in Vietnamese markets (Photo: Getty).

In Japan, okra is called okura and is an integral part of culinary culture.

The Japanese love okra so much that they incorporate it into a variety of traditional dishes, such as okura no aemono (okra salad), and simple boiled or blanched dishes.

On the Japanese Taste website, okra is also classified in the group of “neba foods” - foods with a characteristic viscosity such as natto, mozuku seaweed or nameko mushrooms.

The Japanese believe that this viscosity is beneficial for the digestive system, intestines and overall health. Therefore, they call okra “green ginseng”, considering this the secret to contributing to the high average life expectancy of the people of the land of cherry blossoms.

Natural "weapon" to help reduce blood fat

Not only a rustic dish, okra is also scientifically recognized for its ability to help reduce blood fat.

According to Healthline, the thick, viscous gel layer (mucilage) in okra has the ability to bind cholesterol during digestion, preventing it from being absorbed into the body and excreted in the stool.

A study by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) shows that soluble fiber in okra can reduce LDL cholesterol - the "bad" cholesterol - thereby improving heart health.

Meanwhile, Medical News Today cited research showing that supplementing 1,000mg of okra powder daily helps reduce both cholesterol and blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.

This mechanism makes okra a natural "cleaner", helping blood circulate better, limiting the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack or stroke.

Cheap nutrition warehouse

Okra is also considered a nutritional storehouse as it contains many important vitamins and minerals. 100g of okra has only 33 calories but provides up to 26% of the daily requirement of vitamin C, 26% of vitamin K1, 15% of folate, 14% of magnesium and about 3g of fiber.

These ingredients provide many benefits:

- Helps stabilize blood sugar, supports prevention of type 2 diabetes.

- Supports pregnancy thanks to abundant folate, reducing the risk of neural tube defects in the fetus.

- Contains polyphenols and flavonoids – antioxidants that help protect the heart, improve memory and fight inflammation.

Some test-tube studies have also shown that the lectin protein in okra can inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells.

Thanks to its rich nutrition, low calories and high fiber content, okra becomes an ideal choice for a healthy diet, both economical and effective.

Enjoy Japanese style okra

In addition to the familiar Vietnamese way of boiling and stir-frying, Japanese people often process okra into a mixed salad (aemono).

The simple recipe includes 200g baby okra, soy sauce, sesame oil, sea salt, sugar, pepper and crushed roasted sesame seeds.

Okra is quickly boiled, cooled to retain its green color, cut diagonally, and mixed with a mixture of spices. The dish can be eaten cold, with rice, or as an appetizer.

This cooking method not only retains the crispness but also maximizes the gel layer - the "magic" part that helps clear cholesterol. Simple but sophisticated, the dish shows how the Japanese appreciate simple food and turn it into a secret to long-term health care.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/loai-qua-chuyen-don-mo-mau-cua-nguoi-nhat-cho-viet-rat-re-20250906075239630.htm