What is okra?

Okra is a green annual vegetable that belongs to the same family as cotton, hollyhock and hibiscus. Also known as “ladies’ fingers,” it prefers full sun and grows up to 6 feet in height, with 3- to 4-inch yellow and white flowers. Okra seed pods are around 7 inches long.

Okra is high in fiber and contains antioxidants such as rutin, quercetin, epicatehin and catechin. It's also a good source of vitamin A, B, C and K. It also contains high levels of minerals such as magnesium, potassium, copper, manganese and zinc. As of 2015, studies suggest that eating okra helps lower cholesterol and control blood sugar, according to Healthline.