NEW YORK, Nov 7: You may have enjoyed fresh okra in dishes like jambalaya, Cajun shrimp and fried sausage, or even grilled, as our friend Tabitha Brown likes. But have you ever tried drinking it?

Okra water has become one of the fastest growing trends in social media, with searches up 470% from June 2023 to June 2024, according to Pinterest data. So what exactly is okra water, why do some people drink it, and is it worth a try? We spoke to dietitians to get the inside scoop.

•tLaura Ligos, RDN, CSSD, a registered dietitian nutritionist based in Albany, New York and founder of The Sassy Dietitian and Unconventional Collaborative.

• tJenna A. Werner, RD, a registered dietitian and creator of Happy Strong Healthy in Middletown, New Jersey.

While the exact origins of the okra water trend are unclear, vegan content creator Jasmine Duke appears to have helped it gain popularity after she posted about it in February 2024. “Okras are high in folate, fiber and vitamin C ,” Duke explained, noting. that okra water is an ancient remedy said to support hormonal balance. Duke demonstrates his drink evolution by making okra water with strawberry lemonade for those who don’t want plain okra water, explaining that it “tastes like cucumber water to me—cucumber water tastes stronger to me.”

Duke’s recipe for Strawberry Lemonade Okra Water includes juice from six lemons, eight chopped strawberries, and sugar to taste. She prefers okra water as it is hydrating and likes to eat soaked okra afterwards to enjoy its nutritional benefits.

Dietitian Jenna A. Werner reviewed Duke’s videos and commented, “This is the first time I’ve seen okra water. Okra is a nutrient-dense food with strong cultural ties, so it’s exciting to see it consumed in this way.” Werner describes okra water as “a drink made by soaking okra pods or cut okra in water, then drinking the strained liquid, sometimes with fruit or juice added for flavor.”

Laura Ligos, another dietitian, praises the high nutrient content of okra, noting that it contains polyphenols, flavonoids, antioxidants and essential vitamins such as folic acid, B6, calcium, magnesium and vitamins A and C. Because okra is 90% water and provides about 3 grams of fiber per cup, can aid digestion and support stable blood sugar levels. “Stable blood sugar can benefit energy, weight management, sleep, and libido, so okra water can help with those, too,” Ligos notes, referencing social media health claims about okra water.

Despite its ancient roots, okra water remains under-researched, and current claims are largely anecdotal. “There is little to no research specifically on okra water,” says Ligos.

Ligos and Werner agree that for most people, okra water is safe as long as they are not allergic to okra or sensitive to fructans — a type of sugar found in okra, bananas, beans, pistachios, plums and wheat that can cause digestive problems for some.

“If a customer wants to try okra water and they don’t have health issues, I support it as a hydration option,” says Ligos. “However, many nutrition basics may be more beneficial to focus on before the latest social media trend.”

Always check with your healthcare team before starting new eating habits and monitor how much you eat. The ideal amount of okra water depends on individual hydration and health needs.

“If you’re hoping for a nutritious and hydrating way to enjoy okra, go for it,” says Werner. “But if you’re expecting okra water to be a miracle cure for weight loss, better sleep, or endless energy, you may be setting unrealistic expectations.”

How to prepare okra water:

Buy fresh okra, wash the pods and cut off the ends.

Cut okra into ½ inch slices, place in a pitcher and cover with water.

Refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.

Strain the okra from the water, drink the water and reserve or compost the okra.

For extra flavor, add lemon juice, fresh fruit or soda. You can even turn it into Duke-inspired kiwi-watermelon water popsicles.