What Makes Bhindi Sticky & How Has This Helped It Survive 1000 Years Of Evolution?

Half of Indians adore Bhindi, the green vegetable. People love to try different bhindi dishes, but have you ever wondered what the sticky gel is that comes along with bhindi whenever we try to cut it or cook it? Well, this digital creator explained it perfectly. Check it out.

The Real Reason Behind Bhindi Stickiness

Social media creator Pranav Joshi took to his Instagram to share a video explaining the real reason behind the stickiness of bhindi. The video shows him asking, “Have you ever been disgusted at this slimy, gooey thing that bhindi produces?” After which, he expressed the reason behind it and explained what exactly it is. He informed that the slimy thing is called ‘mucilage’ in English.

Also Read: CT Review: I Tried Mead, Mezcal & Rasam-Inspired Cocktails In One Evening At Cavity Inside Barbet & Pals

He further also questioned, “Now what if I tell you that this slime is the reason why bhindi has survived for thousands of years?” The vlogger further gave a proper explanation and revealed that ladyfingers originally grew widely in East Africa near modern-day Ethiopia and Sudan. The region is infamous for its scorching heat, unpredictable rain and soil that dries out in hours. So the plant learned to take care of itself. When a bhindi seed hits wet soil, it instantly wraps itself in a thick gel shield that locks moisture in.

Benefits Of Bhindi Mucilage

He further explained that this way, when the sun turns the ground into a hot pan, the baby plant doesn’t shrivel up and die. Then come the predators. When small insects try to bite into an okra pod, the sticky goo literally gums up their jaws and traps them. He further explained that not only small insects but also the thick gel takes care of large animals too. The mucilage binds to their stomach enzymes, making the plant very difficult to digest. One unpleasant meal and they learn to never come back for more. The slime also works like Velcro. When animals brush past it, the mucilage causes the seeds to stick to their fur. These seeds travel long distances with them, and thus new okra plants pop up miles away.

Also Read: “Taylor Swift Se Bhi Zyada Demand Hai,” Diljit Dosanjh Reacts To LPG Shortage In Latest Vlog

Talking about more of its benefits, he also said that even if the seeds fall into a river, the gel crafts tiny air bubbles and turns into a life jacket, floating the seeds downstream to new soil. Thousands of years of evolution exposed this plant to every possible way it could die. and it survived them all using slime.

What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.

Cover Image Courtesy: Instagram/Pranav Joshi