The 17 Health Benefits of Oats

Sweet  or salted oats are the right way to start the day. While oatmeal  is a nutritional powerhouse, it can also be applied topically for many DIY treatments. Oats are  basically a cereal whose seeds are edible. This cereal originated in Scotland and was a staple diet of the Scots whose meals consisted of  cooked oats . In addition to consumption by humans, this cereal is also used as feed for livestock.

Oats  are different from Wheat in that Oats  are largely grown for their seeds while Wheat is a type of grass. Most cereal grains contain gluten and oats  are no exception. However, the gluten in Oats , known as Avenin, is different than that in Wheat in that it can be tolerated by some individuals with celiac disease. So, check out the 17 Health Benefits of Oatmeal:

Reduces Colon Cancer Risk:  Studies have shown a positive relationship between the consumption of fiber, mainly from whole grains, including oats , and the reduction of the incidence of colon cancer, which is the large intestine. Fibers are incorporated into the stool and absorb water, facilitating its passage through the intestine, preventing constipation, which is a risk factor for this type of cancer. The higher the fiber consumption, the greater the risk reduction found.

Benefits of Oats to Protect the Skin:  According to the American Academy of Dermatology, oats are able to normalize the skin’s pH, acting as a soothing and helping to relieve irritation and itching.
The beneficial action of oatmeal for the skin would be due to its concentration of starches and beta glucans capable of retaining water, forming a colloid, the presence of phenolic compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and other nutrients such as copper, zinc, selenium and vitamins. of the B complex.

Benefits of Oatmeal for Diabetics: If a person has diabetes, oatmeal can be effective in maintaining low blood glucose levels. The soluble fiber in  oats slows down the digestion of starch, which in turn helps prevent a rapid rise in blood sugar.

Benefits of Oats in Heart Protection: The antioxidants in oats protect against heart disease. The “lignans” in oatmeal also help prevent heart disease.

General Health Benefits of Oatmeal:  Oat flakes contain the highest count of well-balanced protein compared to other types of cereal. They also contain phytochemicals that provide protection against various chronic diseases. A healthy balance of fatty acids provides longevity and good health.

Plus, oat  flakes are packed with essential vitamins and minerals such as Folic Acid , Vitamin E , and Thiamine . Studies have revealed that the beta-glucan contained in oat flakes  has the ability to control bacterial infections in the body and stop them from growing. Simply put, oat  flakes boost immunity , thus facilitating overall good health and longevity.

Oats Possess Anti-Cancer Properties:  Similar to other vegetables and grains, oats  contain a good amount of phytochemicals. These phytochemicals are believed to prevent the occurrence of cancer , especially breast cancer . Studies and research have shown that dietary fiber controls the circulation of estrogens in women, thus reducing the risk of breast cancer .

Oatmeal Controls Blood Sugar Levels:  Oat flakes are rich in beta-glucan, a soluble fiber that turns into a gel during the digestion process . This gel increases the viscosity of food in the stomach and small intestine . As a result, it shortens the digestion period , thus resulting in a prolonged absorption of carbohydrates. In this way, oatmeal  helps to prevent dramatic changes in blood sugar levels .

Benefits of Oatmeal for Blood Pressure:  Eating a serving of oat flakes  every day can make it easier to control blood pressure levels . This also helps to reduce the need for hypertensive medication in certain cases. High blood pressure can pose serious health risks.

Benefits of Oats for Weight Management:  As mentioned above, thesoluble fiber present in oats  facilitates slow digestion and prolonged absorption of nutrients. This helps you stay full for longer periods, thus avoiding the risk of overeating and obesity.

Benefits of Oats for Digestion:  Oat flakes help in healthy digestion throughinsoluble fiber . These Fibers work by moving food through the intestines to help treat constipation. Also, people who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can greatly benefit from oat  flakes. Oat flakes  , being low in total fat , help control GERD symptoms such as heartburn .

Benefits of Oatmeal for the Gut:  The fiber in oat flakes  facilitates the regular and healthy functioning of the intestine . Oats contain  a good amount ofsoluble as well as insoluble fiber . Since insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water, its juices are absorbed from the spongy texture. In this way, it makes the stool heavier and increases the rate of passage through the intestine , thus relieving constipation.

Oatmeal Lowers the Glycemic Index:  People trying to improve or lower their glycemic index should eat oatmeal  daily. Diabetics, especially those who are constantly looking for ways to control their blood sugar levels , should consume oatmeal  daily for positive results.

Oatmeal Reduces Asthma Risks: A recent study concluded that eating whole grains may help reduce the risk of childhood asthma. Oatmeal is a whole grain that is beneficial for children who are at risk for asthma.

Oatmeal Helps Prevent Heart Failure: Heart  failure is another disease of the vascular system that primarily affects the elderly. It has a high mortality rate, with about 37% of patients dying in the first year after developing the disease and 78.5% dying within 5 years according to a study with 2445 patients published in 2007. Treatment is done with inhibitors of ACE and beta-blockers, but the prognosis is generally not encouraging.

When identifying the benefits of oatmeal on lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, Harvard researchers investigated a group of more than 21,000 people and identified that those who consumed oatmeal every day for breakfast had about a 29% lower chance. of developing heart failure.

Benefits of Oats for Athletic Performance:  Similar to other cereals, oat  flakes are a rich source of carbohydrates . These carbohydrates provide the calories to meet the body’s energy needs. Specific studies have revealed that oat  flakes alter metabolism in a favorable way. Eating them 45 minutes to an hour before exercise gives you better performance.

Benefits of Oats to Increase Immunity:  Beta glucans have also been shown to be efficient in helping the immune system by interfering with the activity of neutrophils. Neutrophils are non-specific cells of the immune system that act in defense against invading microorganisms. Laboratory studies showed that beta glucan increased the speed at which neutrophils reach sites of infection and also improved their ability to eliminate the bacteria present.

Thus, as our non-specific defense system, that is, which does not depend on specific antibodies for the invader being fought, is the first barrier against pathogens, oats can improve health also by increasing the speed and efficiency of the immune response. .

Oats for Lowering Cholesterol:  Among the wide variety of cereal grains, Oats  carry the highest amount ofsoluble fiber . The gel-like structure of this fiber transits the intestinal tract. In this way, it retains substances that cause an increase in blood cholesterol levels .