Goo for your gut?
UK surgeon, author and TikTok favorite Dr. Karan Rangarajan, also known as Dr. Karan Raj, has taken to the platform to weigh in on an unappetizing new wellness trend: okra slime water.
Known as “nature’s lube,” this dense, two-ingredient tonic of okra and water may be hard to swallow but could be a real boon for the belly.
Rangarajan explains, “If you drink okra water, it could actually be good for your gut health. … This plant lube found inside okra is actually called mucilage. It acts like a soluble dietary fiber and a prebiotic. When exposed to water, it forms a gel, which makes your stool soft, juicy and regular.”
In addition to keeping you regular, mucilage can support weight loss by slowing the movement of food through your gut, promoting satiety while decreasing appetite and caloric intake.
Mucilage is also found in chia seeds, flax seeds, psyllium husk and aloe vera.
Gen Z-beloved tadpole water is a similarly slimy “slim down” drink made with chia seeds and H2O.
Much like the “Rice-Zempic” and “Oat-Zempic” trends — which encourage dieters to mix rice or oats with water and lime juice to suppress appetite — users claim tadpole and okra water aid weight loss, though the flavor leaves something to be desired.
Tadpole water, which has made some devotees “gag,” gets its name from its stark resemblance to baby frogs swimming in a pond.
Rangarajan said the similarly gnarly-tasting okra concoction helps regulate cholesterol levels and functions as a prebiotic that feeds good gut bacteria.
Holistic nutritionist Katelyn Bedford recently explained to The Post, “Prebiotics are indigestible fibers that serve as food for probiotics, helping them thrive. The two work together to regulate bowel movements, aid in the absorption of calcium, provide immune support, improve immune system functions, and enhance the body’s anti-inflammatory response, among many other benefits.”
The Post previously reported that searches for okra water increased 470% since last year.
In addition to helping the gut biome, wellness influencers have claimed that the slimy liquid will give you smooth and clear skin and provide vitamins and nutrients to nourish the body.
To give the goo a go, cut up several okra stalks into small pieces and submerge them in water for up to 24 hours. Rangarajan maintains, “More water equals more slime equals more goodness.”
Strain the mixture and enjoy — to the best of your ability.
If you can’t stomach the slime, fear not. Rangarajan says eating cooked okra can provide even more gut benefits.
