Okra plants are a powerhouse of nutrients. Nearly half of which is soluble fiber which helps to lower cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease. The other half is insoluble fiber which helps to keep the intestinal tract healthy decreasing the risk of some forms of cancer.
Okra pods should be picked while they are tender and immature, about 4 inches long. They must be picked often—at least every other day.
Okra plants have short hairs that may irritate bare skin, wear gloves and long sleeves. Use pruning shears for clean cuts that do not harm the rest of the plant. When the stem is difficult to cut, the pod is probably too old to use. The large pods rapidly become tough and woody.
