A new rat study shows that okra can protect against the harmful brain and metabolic effects of early-life overnutrition.
A new study published in Brain Research suggests that okra could play a protective role against long-term health problems caused by early overnutrition. Researchers found that dietary okra helped reduce obesity, blood sugar issues, and brain inflammation in rats that were overfed during infancy.
The study, titled "Okra-supplemented diet prevents hypothalamic inflammation in early overfeeding-programmed obese rats", used a rat model in which small litters led to overfeeding and early rapid weight gain. As adults, these rats typically showed signs of metabolic dysfunction, including obesity, high blood sugar, and insulin resistance. However, those given a diet supplemented with 1.5% okra avoided many of these issues. They had lower fat mass, better glucose tolerance, improved muscle mass, and reduced inflammation in the brain.
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