We often tend to eat protein bars as a quick and ready-to-eat snack for instant energy. Oats are often used as the main ingredient in protein bars as a source of proteins. Oats are scientifically known as Avena sativa, belonging to the family Poaceae. Oats are one of the most nutritious crops which contains carbohydrates, lipids, protein, and fibre. It is the 5th most consumed crop with an annual production of 23 million tons worldwide. Oat milk is a product made from oats and in recent days oat milk is emerging in the market due to its health benefits.1,2 Let us read the importance of oat milk benefits.
Did you know?
Oat milk contains several organic compounds like beta-glucans, phenolics, avenanthramides and flavonoids.2 The nutritional content of oat milk is given below:
| Nutritional Component | Amount |
| Carbohydrate | 6.67 g |
| Protein | 1.25 g |
| Fats | 2.08 g |
| Sugars | 2.92 g |
| Fibre | 0.8 g |
| Phosphorus | 112 mg |
| Calcium | 146 mg |
| Potassium | 162 mg |
Did you know that unsweetened oat milk, without any added oil, typically contains around 90 calories per 1 cup (8 oz) serving? This makes it a relatively low-calorie alternative to dairy milk. It’s a great option for those who are watching their calorie intake or following a plant-based diet.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD
Table 1: Nutritional Value of 100ml Oat Milk3
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Oat milk properties may be as follows:
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Some of the potential benefits of oat milk are described as follows:
Oat milk may help against diabetes and studies show that a bioactive dietary peptide in oat milk may improve insulin secretion and glucose digestion. Studies conducted on humans showed that intake of oat milk might improve fasting blood sugar level and insulin concentration. However, large-scale human studies are yet to be done to check the anti-diabetic effect of oat milk. It is important to check your blood sugar levels and get proper treatment in case of abnormal blood sugar levels.2
Oat milk may regulate blood pressure and thereby improve heart health. A study on a rat model showed that the globulin peptide in oat milk might regulate blood pressure. Another human study showed that constituents like beta-glucans, dietary fibres, and avenanthramides might regulate blood pressure. Therefore, oat milk may reduce the risk of hypertension and might improve heart health. However, if you experience any abnormal blood pressure or symptoms of heart disease, you must immediately consult your doctor and take proper medications for the same.2 Do not self-medicate.
Bioactive peptides present in oats may contribute to enhancing the immune system. It may help to enhance innate immunity (the first response of the immune system to foreign substances) and adaptive immunity (special immune cells in the body that destroy foreign substances). The exact mechanism by which the peptides in oat milk help improve immune function is unknown. Further research is to be done to claim the effect of oat milk on immune function.2
Hypoxia is a condition where the tissues in the body do not get enough oxygen. Bioactive peptides like oligopeptides in oat milk may reduce the risk of hypoxia and may increase haemoglobin. Haemoglobin, present in red blood cells, carries oxygen and transports it to various tissues in the body. In this way, oat milk may be beneficial in case of hypoxia. Further studies are required to confirm the effect of oat milk on hypoxia.2
Oat milk may help in eliminating fatigue caused after strenuous exercise by improving muscle strength. Oat milk may improve muscle strength by decreasing the by-products of fatigue (lactic acid and blood urea nitrogen) and increasing the level of glycogen in muscles and the liver. Oat milk may reduce physical discomfort associated with exercise. Studies showed that oat milk might enhance the post-exercise recovery of damaged muscles. Further studies are yet to be done to check the anti-fatigue effect of oat milk.2
Oat milk may inhibit the aggregation of platelets due to the presence of hydrolysates. Additionally, globulin in oats may inhibit platelet aggregation caused by arachidonic acid in the body. More research is yet to be done to confirm whether oat milk may prevent platelet aggregation.2
Oat milk may possess cholesterol-lowering properties. The proteins present in oat milk may reduce the bad cholesterol by reducing cholesterol absorption in the intestine and increasing the faecal bile acid secretions. This study was done on animals. Large-scale human trials are to be done to check the effect of oat milk on reducing cholesterol in humans.2 If you have high cholesterol and obese consult the doctor for proper treatment. Do not self-medicate.
Oat milk may be used to alleviate anaemia. This may be due to its antioxidant properties that reduce oxidative stress. Studies conducted on iron-deficient rat models showed that oat milk might help in the case of anaemia. More clinical studies are required to confirm the effect of oat milk on anaemia. However, you must seek proper treatment for anaemia instead of self-medicating.2
Though there are studies that show the benefits of oat milk in various conditions, these are insufficient and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of oat milk on human health.
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In my experience, oat milk is a suitable option for adults who have allergies to common food allergens such as dairy, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans. It is also a safe choice for individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance since oats are naturally gluten-free. By choosing oat milk, you can enjoy a nutritious and allergen-free alternative to traditional dairy milk.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Also Read: Oat Milk vs Almond Milk: A Nutritional Showdown
Oat milk may be included in various dishes that are given below:
You must consult a qualified doctor before taking oat milk in large quantities or any herbal supplements. Do not discontinue or replace an ongoing treatment of modern medicine with an ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor.
Also Read: Savory Oatmeal: Reinventing the Traditional Breakfast Dish
Oat milk side effects may be as follows:
If you experience any adverse reactions to oat milk, immediately contact a doctor or your Ayurvedic physician who has prescribed it to you. They will be able to guide you appropriately for your symptoms.
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It’s important to note that oat milk contains a higher amount of carbohydrates per serving compared to cow’s milk. This could be a consideration for individuals with diabetes who monitor their carbohydrate intake to control blood sugar levels. It’s advisable for such patients to consult with a registered dietitian or healthcare professional to determine the best milk options that align with their dietary needs and blood glucose management goals.
Dr. Smita Barode, BAMS
Some precautions to take before consuming oat milk are:
Oats may interact with anti-diabetic drugs. It may cause the blood sugar level to go low when diabetes medications are taken with oats. It is important to monitor your blood sugar level if you have consumed oat milk and have diabetes. You must consult your doctor if your blood sugar level gets abnormal.4
Also Read: Buffalo Milk: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects By Dr. Rajeev Singh
Oat milk may be beneficial for individuals with diabetes. It may improve heart health and lower blood pressure. Oat milk may enhance immune function. It may be used to reduce the risk of hypoxia and platelet aggregation. Additionally, oat milk may be used to lower cholesterol levels.2 If you have any of these problems consult the doctor for proper treatment. Do not self-medicate.
Oat milk may cause gas and bloat.4
The nutrients present in oat milk are proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fibres, sugars, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. Organic constituents like beta-glucans, phenolics, avenanthramides and flavonoids may also be present.2,3
Yes, there are several benefits of drinking oat milk every day.2
People with celiac disease and disorders of the stomach, intestine and other parts of the gastrointestinal tract must be cautious before consuming oat milk. Oat milk may cause side effects like gas and bloat. Additionally, it may also interact with medications used for diabetes and may cause the blood sugar levels to go too low. 4
1. Syed SJ, Gadhe KS, Shaikh RP. Studies on quality evaluation of OAT milk. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 2020;9(1):2275-7. Available from: https://www.phytojournal.com/archives/2020/vol9issue1/PartAL/9-1-472-557.pdf
2. Rafique H, Dong R, Wang X, Alim A, Aadil RM, Li L, Zou L, Hu X. Dietary-Nutraceutical Properties of Oat Protein and Peptides. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2022;9. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9294724/
3.FoodData Central The original- oat milk [Internet]. U.S. Department of Agriculture. [cited 2022 Sep 2]. Available from: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/719016/nutrients
4. Drugs, H. and Supplements, H., Oats: MedlinePlus Supplements. [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. [cited 2022 Sep 2] Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/814.html
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