Sometimes called “lady’s finger,” okra is a flowering plant with edible seed pods. It grows best in warm climates and is often cultivated in Africa and South Asia.

Though technically a fruit, okra often gets used like a vegetable in cooking. You might be familiar with okra as an ingredient in gumbo, for example. Though not necessarily a household name in healthy foods, okra still has plenty of nutritional value.

Okra is low in calories but packed full of nutrients. The vitamin C in okra helps support healthy immune function. Okra is also rich in vitamin K, which helps your body clot blood.

Some of the other health benefits of okra include: fighting cancer, supporting heart and brain health, controlling blood sugar, prenatal support.