HEALTH BENEFITS OF OATS
Nothing starts the day off better
than a big bowl of warm oatmeal. This traditional breakfast dish has many
benefits, particularly for the heart, that make it a smart choice. Not
convinced? Still favoring your sugary cereals? Here are seven reasons why oatmeal
should be part of your normal diet.
oats |
1. Lowers Cholesterol
Oatmeal contains a special strand of
fiber called beta-glucan that studies have shown reduces levels of bad
cholesterol—and as high cholesterol is a major risk factor associated with
heart disease and strokes, a daily bowl of oatmeal could be a life saver! A
daily dose of three grams of fiber, the amount found in one bowl of oatmeal,
can lower
cholesterol by up to 23 percent and reduce the risk of heat disease
by almost half.
2. Boosts Immune System
Oatmeal’s beta-gluten fiber does
more than protect your heart. Beta-gluten can also amp up our immune systems
and help fight bacterial infections by helping non-specific immune cells called
neutrophils (our body’s first line of defense against pathogens) quickly locate
and heal infected tissues.
3. Special Antioxidants for Heart
Protection
Oatmeal not only lowers bad
cholesterol but protects good cholesterol! Oatmeal contains special
antioxidants called avenanthramides that prevent free radicals from attacking
good cholesterol, which also helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
4. Stabilizes Blood Sugar
Because oatmeal is so rich in fiber,
eating it in the morning will help stabilize your blood sugar throughout the
day and prevent those mid-morning or mid-afternoon “crashes” that results from
eating refined sugars and carbs.
5. Lowers Risk of Diabetes
Speaking of blood sugar, eating
oatmeal can also help reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Oatmeal
contains high amounts of magnesium, which help the body to properly use glucose
and secrete insulin. An eight-year trial showed a 19 percent decrease in type 2
diabetes risk in women with a magnesium-rich diet and a 31 percent risk
decrease in women who regularly ate whole grains. Like to enjoy your oatmeal
with milk? Eating low-fat dairy products reduces the risk of diabetes by 13
percent.
6. Prevents Breast Cancer
Studies have shown that a diet rich
in fiber can protect against breast cancer, particularly if the fiber comes
from whole grains. A UK
Women’s Cohort Study found that pre-menopausal women who ate fiber
from whole grains had a 41 percent less risk of developing breast cancer, while
fiber sourced from fruit only offer a 29 percent reduction rate.
7. Gluten-Friendly
Although oatmeal contains a small amount
of gluten, studies have shown that oatmeal is well tolerated by both adults and
children with celiac disease.
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