5 Amazing health benefits of oats

by Hakeem Perkins
July 28, 2022
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Having a healthy lifestyle is something everyone wants to have, but to do so, one needs to make changes in their lifestyle. These changes can be complex; initially, they seem pretty unrealistic, but as you follow them regularly and start seeing their benefits in your health and lifestyle, you get used to them. One of the most important things to do when creating a healthy lifestyle is to change your eating habits. The food you eat is significant in deciding your physical and mental health. Now various superfoods are excellent for your health, and one such superfood is oats. Oats are one of the best food items you can incorporate into your diet. In this article, we will discuss various health benefits of oats and how oats benefit your lifestyle. Before discussing oats’ health benefits, let’s see some essential facts about oats.

What are oats?

Oats or oatmeal is a breakfast food made from oats and a liquid such as water or milk. Many foods fall out of favour as health trends come and go. Not oatmeal. This whole-grain powerhouse has been putting severe nutrition and hearty flavour into breakfast for generations. It’s one of the few comfort foods that are as good for you as it is just plain good.
To get the most out of this superfood, be a little picky.
Some packets of instant oatmeal, for example, are loaded with sugar — up to 8 teaspoons per serving — and high in sodium. Always check the label to see what you are getting. Great oatmeal starts with plain or steel-cut oatmeal, cooked in a bit of water or milk, and topped with healthy ingredients. It’s an excellent start to the day; making it a habit can benefit your health. If you follow a gluten-free diet, look for certified gluten-free oats. Although oats do not contain gluten, they can become contaminated with gluten when processed or grown.

Here are the top five health benefits of oats –

Oats have received much attention for their high fiber content, phytochemicals, and nutritional value. Today, they have several oat health benefits, including hypocholesterolemia and anti-cancer properties. According to research, oatmeal can be added for use in the diet of celiac patients.
Oat-based food products such as bread, cookies, crackers, probiotic drinks, breakfast cereals, cereals, and infant formula are gaining popularity due to their high nutritional value. Here is an overview of the health benefits of oats as whole grains and value-added products, as well as information on oat processing and its effect on performance.

1. Oats contain nutritious

Oats have a well-balanced nutritional profile. You’ll find that oats are high in carbohydrates and fiber, including the powerful fiber beta-glucan. They are also higher in protein and fat than many other grains. Oats are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant plant compounds. This means that oats are one of the foods with the highest nutrient content. These oats benefits will help you improve your health and lifestyle.

2. Oats are rich in antioxidants

Whole oats contain antioxidants and polyphenols, which are beneficial plant compounds. The most important antioxidants are avenanthramides, which you can almost wholly find in oats. Avenanthramides may reduce the risk of heart disease by increasing nitric oxide production. This gas molecule helps dilate blood vessels, resulting in increased blood flow. In addition, avenanthramides have anti-inflammatory and antipruritic properties. Ferulic acid is also found in high concentrations of oats. It is another type of antioxidant. These antioxidants offer great oat benefits, and one should eat them to get all the oat’s health benefits.

3. Oats contain adequate soluble fiber

Oats are high in beta-glucan, a type of soluble fiber, which is great oats health benefits. In the intestine, beta-glucan partially dissolves in water and forms a thick gel-like solution. Lowered LDL and total cholesterol levels, reduced blood sugar and insulin response, increased feelings of fullness, and increased growth of good bacteria in the digestive tract are all oat benefits of beta-glucan fiber.

4. Oats can lower cholesterol

Worldwide, you will find that heart disease is one of the leading causes of death. And high blood cholesterol remains a vital risk factor. Many studies have also shown that the beta-glucan fiber found in oats can help lower total and LDL cholesterol levels. Beta-glucan can increase the secretion of cholesterol-rich bile and lower circulating blood cholesterol levels. Another critical step in the progression of heart disease is the oxidation of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, which occurs when LDL reacts with free radicals. It causes inflammation of the arteries and damaged tissue and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. According to one study, the antioxidants in oats work in tandem with vitamin C to prevent LDL oxidation. It is one of the greatest health benefits of oats.

5. Oats can improve blood sugar control

Type 2 diabetes is a common disease characterized by significantly elevated blood sugar levels. A decrease in insulin sensitivity usually causes it. Oats help lower blood sugar, especially in overweight or with type 2 diabetes. They can also help with insulin sensitivity. These effects are primarily attributed to beta-glucans, which can form a thick gel that slows gastric emptying and glucose absorption into the blood. Eating oats benefits the blood sugar level and will help you have a healthy body.

Now that we’ve learned about various health benefits of oats and how oats benefit your daily diet and health, we can say that oats are one of the greatest superfoods because of the various oats health benefits and they can improve your health and lifestyle if consumed in the right proportions and right form.