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A doctor says the latest social media trend which claims to help you lose weight is a 'waste of time'. Drinking okra-infused water (made by soaking raw okra pods in water

overnight) has gone viral as a supposed solution for blood sugar control, gut health, and weight loss. However, while the drink is unlikely to cause harm, it’s equally unlikely to lead to

noticeable benefits, according to Dr Masarat Jilani, a who works with heath company Jude. Dr Jilani said: "Staying hydrated is always beneficial for digestion and metabolism. Drinking

okra water might encourage people to consume more fluids, which is a positive step, but the okra itself contributes very little, except for a slightly unusual flavour. Fruit or cucumber

slices might be a tastier alternative. "The frustrating thing about this hack is that most of the gut-friendly fibre in okra stays in the pod, not the water. Since people following the

trend discard the vegetable and only drink the water, they miss out on any truly meaningful nutritional benefit that okra has to offer. "There’s no scientific evidence that okra water

speeds up metabolism or burns fat. Any perceived weight loss is likely due to other behavioural changes, such as eating more healthily or cutting down on sugary drinks. "Okra’s natural

mucilage, the gel-like substance it releases when soaked, may slow digestion slightly. While this could, in theory, help regulate blood sugar levels, the studies are limited and primarily in

animals. "Drinking okra water isn’t harmful, just make sure you wash the okra well before soaking. However, relying on it as a weight-loss or gut-health remedy is likely just a waste

of time." Dr Jilani added: “Okra water isn’t unsafe, but it’s no silver bullet. The real benefits of okra come from eating the whole vegetable, not from simply soaking it and throwing

it away. If it's the gut health benefits you want, then you'd be better off incorporating it into your diet in other ways, such as in curries or sautéed as a side dish. "If

you enjoy drinking it and it helps you stay hydrated, that’s great, but don’t expect dramatic health results. Using this alone as a weight management strategy is unfortunately a waste of

time. "In fact, the biggest concern with the okra water fads is that people will skip proven healthy weight loss strategies in favour of TikTok fads. There’s no magic substitute for a

balanced diet, regular movement, and consistent routines."