The 10 Health Benefits of Granola
The benefits of granola are diverse, as it is essential in various reactions in the body. Additionally, granola is traditionally made up of rolled oats , which are groats of oatmeal that have been pressed and lightly steamed, as well as honey, nuts, and puffed rice. The entire mixture is cooked until crispy and can then be taken anywhere very conveniently for an energy boosting snack. Generally, granola is used by hikers and campers, as well as being geared towards the outdoors people who won’t have a fridge for their food.
When eaten at home, granola is often combined with yogurt, honey, strawberry , banana and other types of fruit, or mixed with other cereals to boost its nutritional value. Granola has had peaks and declines in popularity over the years, but the advent of the “ granola bar ” is when it really hit its peak around the world. It is now widely used because of its undeniable health benefits, delicious taste and versatility in various meals.
Nutritional Value of Granola: The long list of health benefits attributed to granola is mainly due to its content of vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients. But it is not limited to this. Granola also hasdietary fiber, Sodium , Potassium , Zinc , Phosphorus , Magnesium , Calcium , Vitamin C , Niacin , Iron and Thiamine. These health benefits are explained in more detail below. So, check out the 10 Health Benefits of Granola.
The 10 Health Benefits of Granola!
Benefits of Granola for Digestion: As a digestive aid, granola is almost second to none. It’s commonly consumed by people who want a fiber boost because granola contains both soluble and insoluble fiber. Dietary fiber is a beneficial part of eating habits because it regulates the digestion of food. It adds bulk and weight to bowel movements, making them more solid and easier to pass along the digestive tract.
Soluble fiber is good for relieving symptoms of constipation, which can lead to a bevy of health problems, including colorectal cancer, indigestion, heartburn, and excess flatulence. Insoluble fiber can harden loose stools and reduce the occurrence of diarrhea. Plus, fiber can improve heart health by literally scraping the arteries of dangerous LDL cholesterol or omega-6 fatty acids that can lead to heart disease such as atherosclerosis, heart attacks and strokes.
Benefits of Granola for Weight Loss: One of the best parts of eating granola is that it is light yet filling. It is a food that provides a healthy boost to your body in a number of ways. It has a low content of cholesterol and sodium , both of which are responsible behind chronic obesity. Plus, the fiber in granola makes the body feel full. Therefore, it reduces appetite and inhibits the release of ghrelin, which is the hormone that makes the body feel hungry. This can help prevent overeating, which is common for obese people.
Benefits of Granola for Lowering Cholesterol: The soluble fiber in granola is a known way to reduce harmful LDL cholesterol and promote the diffusion of healthy cholesterol (yes, it exists!) throughout the body. By reducing harmful cholesterol in the blood, it prevents the development of plaque in arteries and veins. This type of plaque can result in increased blood pressure and pressure on the cardiovascular system. Be sure to buy granola that is not supplemented with hydrogenated oils as it can increase negative cholesterol levels and lower positive cholesterol, thus negating the effects of dietary fiber in granola. Many granola preparationsinclude walnuts and almonds, which are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
Benefits of Granola For Energy Boosts: The other reason many outdoor hikers and campers eat granola on their trip is that it is a concentrated form of energy and will help give you that extra boost when you need it most. Not filling your body with sugars will likely make you feel sluggish in these activities. Therefore, it is very important to ingest granola . It is important for the liver, kidneys and metabolic activity. It stimulates the tissues and the proper distribution of resources throughout the body. Proper metabolic function means your body is working efficiently and your energy needs can be accounted for.
Benefits of Granola for Cancer Prevention: Granola contains low levels of Vitamin C , which is a natural antioxidant that normally boosts the immune system, stimulates white blood cells and can prevent cancer formation or metastasis. However, the real connection that researchers are now focusing on is the importance of manganese in preventing cancer.
The high content of Manganese in granola is shown to have greater antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are beneficial compounds that seek out free radicals, the byproducts of cellular metabolism, which can transform healthy cells into cancerous cells by altering the structure of DNA. By scavenging free radicals with antioxidants like Manganese , you can reduce your chances of getting cancer, heart disease, and many other dangerous conditions.
Benefits of Granola for Anemia Prevention: Anemia is a serious condition that affects millions of people across the world. But many of them do not realize that they are suffering. Basically, it is a deficiency of Iron in the blood, which is an essential part of building red blood cells. Anemia can result in excess fatigue, headaches, cognitive dysfunction, depression, and bowel disorders. Granola hasa significant amount of iron , so it counteracts many of the symptoms of anemia.
Benefits of Granola for Cognitive Activity: People often say that lunch is the most important meal of the day and that it keeps your brain working throughout the day. This is especially true if you add granola , as it lowers blood pressure in the body. Because it is rich in potassium and poor in sodium , granolahelps hypertension by acting as a vasodilator. When blood pressure is reduced, veins are loosened, stress on the system is reduced, and increased blood and oxygen flow can occur. The increased flow of oxygen and blood to the brain can increase cognitive function and increase the speed of nerve response and the formation of neural pathways. This is the same reason bananas are often called “brain food” because their potassium levels encourage high mental functioning.
The blood pressure lowering effect of granola obviously helps heart health as well as relieves pressure on the cardiovascular system. The possibility of atherosclerosis, stroke and other potentially life-threatening conditions is also reduced. You should supplement the potassium content of granola with fresh fruit, a delicious and common combination for lunch or snack.
Benefits of Granola for Vitamin E Content: Granola is a good source of Vitamin E , also known as alpha-tocopherol, and a single serving can provide you with nearly 20% of your daily requirement. Vitamin E affects a number of bodily processes, including protecting the skin from premature aging and wrinkles, strengthening capillary walls and improving heart health, increasing blood flow to the extremities so hair follicles and nails maintain its integrity, as well as helping to protect the skin from sunburn. Overall, the high amount of Vitamin E in granola alone makes it a great choice for a lunch booster.
Benefits of Granola for Manganese Content: The manganese content of granola is surprisingly high and the effects it can have on the body are quite impressive. In terms of diabetes management, manganese is a blood sugar regulator in the body and can stimulate or inhibit the release of insulin. By regulating blood sugar levels, you can reduce the chances of the spikes and dips that can make life so difficult for diabetic patients.
In addition to its effects on diabetes, manganese is also a cofactor for energy production from food. It also plays an important role in the production of blood clotting factors to increase the speed of wound healing, sex hormone production and regulation, as well as the production of new tissue to accelerate cellular and organ repair. Basically, granola has benefits on your body that you never imagined!
A few words of warning: This might have been an impressive list of health benefits, but granola can have some harmful effects on the body. There is some controversy over eating too much of this powerful food. Granola is basically carbohydrates cooked in fat, which can produce some chemical molecules that the body cannot digest. However, different granola preparations can result in many different chemical compositions.
Additionally, puffed rice, which is typically included in granola , has little nutritional value but acts as a filling agent and a source of empty calories. Look for granola varieties that don’t have puffed rice so you can avoid the negative side effect. Insulin is a common polysaccharide that is made from indigestible fructans, this can take the body time and energy to digest it properly. This may result in some bloating or flatulence, followed by a marked improvement in digestion.