The efficacy of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) in decreasing blood sugar levels among patients with impaired fasting glucose in Antipolo City / The Health Sciences Journal

ABSTRACT

Introduction@#Previous studies have shown conflicting results on the efficacy of okra on lowering blood sugar levels. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of okra in decreasing blood sugar among patients with impaired fasting glucose.@*Methods @#This was a randomized double-blind trial among patients with impaired fasting blood glucose from three clinics in Antipolo City. Potential subjects were identified from records of the three clinics, recruited and screened using the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) and fasting blood sugar (FBS). Eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive okra or placebo capsules twice daily for one month. The blood sugar after 30 days was compared with the baseline and the difference between the okra and placebo groups was compared.@*Results @#There was a significant difference between the pre-treatment and post-treatment FBS levels, respectively, of both the okra and placebo groups (p-value <0.01). However, the difference between the mean difference of the okra and placebo groups was not significant (p = 0.06).@*Conclusion @#The present study showed that okra capsules are not efficacious in lowering blood sugar levels.