12 Health Benefits Of Oatmeal!

What is Oatmeal?

Avena sativa or oats is a whole-grain cereal that is a popular breakfast choice for people all over the world. They are annual grass like wheat. In its natural form, oats are fed to livestock, but when they are rolled, crushed, ground or steel-cut, they are consumed by humans. Oats are usually boiled with water or milk and the resulting dish is known as oatmeal. The most popular topping is fruit and sugar in oatmeal all over the world. With increasing demands to make oats palatable in forms other than their usual porridge self, people have come up with innovative ways to add them to one’s diet. So idlis, dosas, uttapams, cookies, cakes, pies, and smoothies made from oats are gaining more popularity over time.

Nutritional Value of Oats

Oats are mainly a carbohydrate. 100 grams of oats provide around 389 calories of energy. Oats are rich in essential nutrients and minerals like thiamine, zinc, magnesium, iron, manganese, phosphorus, and selenium. A bowl of oatmeal provides a substantial part of the body’s daily requirement of fiber, essential fatty acids, vitamin E, and protein. As a great source of whole grains, oats contain a heart-protective starch known as beta-glucan that aids in reducing high cholesterol and the risk of certain cancers.

12 Health Benefits of Eating Oats Every Day

• Immunity Booster:

Oats contain soluble fiber and beta-glucan. White blood cells ( WBCs ), warriors of our immune system, have special receptors for the absorption of beta-glucan. Beta-glucan stimulates WBCs and helps them fight off infections.  

Beta-glucans also make the body more sensitive to antibiotics and accelerate the healing of wounds. Beta-glucans also enhance the activity of macrophages, neutrophils, and natural killer cells to fight a variety of infections caused by fungi, bacteria, viruses, and parasites.  

Zinc and selenium in oats also help in fighting infections.  

Oats help fight off respiratory infections and research has found that those babies who start eating oats earlier are protected against childhood asthma.

• Lowers Blood Sugar Levels:

Oats are rich in beta-glucan, a potent soluble fibre that helps to keep the glycemic index low when consumed regularly. The high fibre content of oats improves insulin sensitivity and reduces postprandial glucose levels. Beta-glucan fibre may help to prevent sharp rises in blood sugar and insulin levels after eating, and also may benefit gut health.

Those who are overweight or have type 2 diabetes have shown a considerable reduction in their blood sugar levels after the consumption of oats.

Read More: 10 Foods That Are Good For Diabetics

• Improves Heart Health:

Oats are rich in antioxidants and are full of fibre. These antioxidants improve the health of the heart by fighting off free radicals. Oats act as a blotting paper as they absorb the cholesterol and help reduce it.

Oats are not only delicious, but they also lower LDL cholesterol, the “bad” cholesterol. With their soluble fibre, oats can help reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the bloodstream, ultimately leading to lower levels.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S M.D (Ayu)

Beta-glucan, a soluble fibre in oats reduces total serum and LDL or bad cholesterol levels by limiting the absorption of dietary cholesterol in the intestine. This in turn, reduces the risk of coronary heart disease.

Dietary lignans present in oats also ensure protection against heart disease. Vitamin E present in oats also prevents cardiovascular disorders.

• Good for our Digestive System:

Oats are beneficial for our digestive system. They are rich in soluble fibre that increases the time the food spends in the intestines. This fibre cleans the gut as it travels through it. Another benefit of oatmeal fibre is that fibre also contributes positively to bowel regularity and the prevention of constipation. It aids increase in the weight and water content of excreta.  

They are also full of insoluble fibre that helps consolidate stool, adds weight to it and thus regulates bowel movement and relieves constipation.

Moreover, oats help prevent colorectal cancer apart from treating constipation.

If you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance, finding safe and nutritious food options can be challenging. But here’s some good news: oats are naturally gluten-free and can be a healthy addition to your diet.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

• Reduces risk of Cancer:

Oats are rich in lignans that fight off cancer-related hormonal disturbances like ovarian, breast and prostate cancer.

In conjugation with vitamin C and the abundant antioxidants present, oats help to combat free radicals that cause cancer.

Oatmeal is rich in avenanthramides, unique compounds that fight inflammation and harness the maniacal growth of cancer cells without having any harmful effects on healthy cells.

Specifically in the case of colon cancer, oatmeal has proven to be effective. A study conducted by researchers in the Netherlands and the United States has found a link between people who consume a high-fiber diet and a reduced risk of colon cancer.

• Reduces Hypertension & Stress:

Consumption of oats reduces the risk of developing hypertension (high blood pressure). The soluble fiber in this healthy cereal helps to clean up the arteries and veins and shows tremendous benefits in those who already suffer from high blood pressure.

A staple diet of oats also reduces dependence on medications for hypertension.

Oats are also comforting food. They cut the number of stress hormones in the body and increase serotonin, the hormone that produces a sense of well-being and happiness.

• Helpful in Weight Loss:

Oats are rich in fiber that fills up the tummy quicker than non-fiber breakfasts. They also lead to a slow release of glucose in the blood and this keeps one satiated for a long time and prevents binge-eating.

People who eat oats regularly tend to have a stable weight and are less vulnerable to obesity. Oats also fight off abdominal fat.

However, choose plain oats rather than the pre-packaged flavored ones as they are full of sugar that can hamper weight loss plans.

• Good for the Skin:

Oats are rich in zinc which is important for fighting off pimples.

Oats help to absorb the excess oil on the skin and are an essential part of acne treatments. They also help to treat dry and itchy skin as the beta-glucans help to moisturise the skin.

Oats also work as an efficient anti-tanning agent and help lighten the skin tone.

Oats have been known to help ease the discomfort of inflammatory skin conditions like eczema. Oats contain compounds that have anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties, such as beta-glucans and avenanthramides.

Dr. Smita Barode, B.A.M.S M.S.

• Good for the Hair:

Oatmeal has unexpected benefits for the hair as well. It treats an itchy scalp and absorbs extra oil. Oats are also a good solution to the dandruff problem. Read more about the home remedies for dandruff.

When applied over areas that are experiencing hair loss, oats work wonders as they strengthen hair follicles and prevent hair damage. Oats masks moisturize the scalp and make it silky and shiny.

• Improves Bone Health:

Oats are rich in silicon which is important for skeletal health.

Thus, women with postmenopausal osteoporosis benefit significantly from eating oats regularly.

• Energy Booster:

Oats are rich in carbohydrates and this makes them an ideal breakfast option. The high amounts of B vitamins are another reason why oats boost the energy levels in the body.

Since the fibre component is high, oats keep you feeling fuller for longer and you face less of energy dumps.

• Improves the Quality of Sleep:

Eating oats helps in the production of melatonin, which is essential for sleeping.

They also release serotonin which helps you feel relaxed and reduces stress. Oats have Tryptophan, an amino acid that has sedative properties.

Different Forms in Which Oats Are Available

• Rolled or Old-fashioned Oats
• Groat Oats
• Oat Bran
• Steel-cut or Irish Oats
• Scottish Oats
• Quick or Instant Oats
• Oats Flour

The Best Form of Oats

• Steel-cut oats are the best form of oats because:
• They are made by chopping oat grains using steel blades, thus keeping the bran, endosperm, and germ intact.
• They are the least processed form of oats.
• They have maximum nutritional value.

Take Away

Choose a bowl of oats over any other type of breakfast to reap the innumerable benefits of oats. Have in the form of sweet or savory oatmeal and add toppings of your choice to keep your taste buds tingling.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability, or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation of the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

41