By: Nicole Liza
Carry on through hectic morning schedule with a bowl of freshly cooked oatmeal. Sure it would be great enough to boost your energy. Although oats are being hulled, this process does not strip away their bran and germ allowing them to retain a concentrated source of their fiber and nutrients.
A bowl of oatmeal is the perfect way to start off your day, especially if you are trying to prevent or are currently dealing with heart disease, diabetes, or debilitating symptoms.
Pair oats with your favorite fruits- from banana to berries. Listed are researched facts about the benefits you will have from eating oats.
Read and Digest:
Lower Cholesterol Level
Studies show that in individuals with high cholesterols intake, consuming a bowl of oatmeal per day typically lowers cholesterol by 8-23%. The significance of this study is to show the relatedness of 1% cholesterol drop to 2% risk reduction of getting a heart disease.
Consumption of foods that are high in Low-Density Lipoprotein “bad cholesterol”, will contribute to plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog arteries and make them less flexible thus condition may lead to heart attack or stroke.
Reduce Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
Due to its high–fiber content, oats are known to help remove cholesterol from the digestive system that would otherwise end up in the bloodstream. Now, the latest research suggests they may have another cardioprotective mechanism.
Antioxidant compounds unique to oats, called avenanthramide, help prevent free radicals from damaging LDL cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, suggests a study conducted at Tufts University and published in The Journal of Nutrition.
Enhance Immune System
Oats are rich in a specific type of fiber called beta-glucan. Beta-glucan helps neutrophils (most abundant non-specific immune cell) navigate to the site of an infection more quickly; it enhances their ability to eliminate the bacteria they find in the site.
According to researcher Jonathan Reichner of the Department of Surgery at Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University, priming neutrophils with beta-glucan helps these immune defenders quickly locate the strain of bacteria within an infected tissue. This rapid response results in faster microbial clearance and healing.
Stabilize Blood Sugar
Interestingly, beta-glucan has beneficial effects for Type 2 Diabetic patients as well. Patients who consumed oats or high in bran experienced much lower rises in blood sugar compared to those who were given white rice or bread.
Starting out your day with a blood sugar stabilizing food such as oats may make it easier to keep blood sugar levels under control the rest of the day, especially when the rest of your day is also supported with nourishing fiber-rich fruits.
Alternative for Children and Adults with Celiac Disease
Yes Way! True that patients who suffer Celiac Disease are required to avoid gluten-rich foods which are found in wheat, rye, barley, and oats. But recent studies have shown that oats, despite the small amount of gluten they contain, are well-tolerated.
Now, a double-blind study was conducted involving 8 clinics treating 116 children newly diagnosed celiac disease. The children were randomly assigned to receive either the standard gluten-free diet (no wheat, barley, rye or oats) or a gluten-free diet with some wheat-free oat products. At the end of the study, which ran for a year, all the children were doing well, and in both groups, the mucosal lining of the small bowel (which is damaged by wheat gluten in celiac disease) had returned to normal.