Many people begin their day with a bowl of oats. It is tasty, it is satisfying, it is healthy. Oats is rich in nutrients and fibre, making it one of the healthiest grain options you can find, and a very healthy way to begin your day. For those who do not like oats, you can improve the taste by adding milk and fruits like bananas to it. If you must use sugar, make sure not to add so much.
Nutritional Value of Oats
Oats are an excellence source of carbs and fiber, and contain a powerful fiber called beta-glucan. They contain a tremendous amount of nutrients such as manganese, phosphorus, copper, magnesium and iron. They also have high amounts of vitamins such as vitamin B9 (folate), vitamin B1 (thiamin), and vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid). Furthermore, compared to other grains, oats contain more protein and fat.
7 Health Benefits of Oats
Oats are one of the healthiest grains, and most nutrient-dense foods you can eat. Based on it’s nutritional composition and medical studies, here are some of the many health benefits of oats.
1. Oats is Rich In Fiber
Oats has a high content of a type of soluble fiber known as beta-glucan. Beta-glucan dissolves and forms a thick gel in the gut. Some of the benefits of beta-glucan include reducing blood sugar levels, keeping the gut healthy, reducing bad cholesterol levels, and more.
2. Oats Improves Digestive Health
The insoluble fiber in oats also improves digestion by promoting regular bowel movement. This helps prevent constipation, irregular bowel movement, and other problems. Fiber adds to bulk, which makes it easier to pass out stool. Beta-glucan also stimulates increased growth of good bacteria in the digestive tract.
3. Oats Improves Blood Sugar Control
Eating oats would help improve insulin sensitivity and also properly manage blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. This is due to the effect of beta-glucan in the body. People with diabetes can add oats to their daily diet to reduce spikes in their blood sugar levels.
4. Oats May Help You Lose Weight
Another benefit of eating oats is that it may help you lose weight. Some people gain weight because they eat too much, and they are hardly satisfied. But the beta-glucan in oats would make you feel fuller for longer as it would slow down the time it takes for your stomach to empty up. By doing that, it would help reduce the rate at which you eat. When you eat less, you’d consume fuller calories. This can help you to lose weight over time.
5. Oats Can Lower Cholesterol Levels
Eating oats could also lower bad cholesterol levels in the blood. Bad cholesterol, or LDL, is one of the leading causes of heart disease. The beta-glucan in oats would help to lower LDL in the blood. By adding oats to your daily diet, you can lower your LDL levels every day.
6. Oats Are Rich In Antioxidants
Oats are also a good source of antioxidants. Antioxidants are special nutrients that help to eradicate free radicals in the body. Free radicals are agents that enter the body to contaminate cells. The presence of free radicals in the body increases the risk of cancer and other infections. Antioxidants take care of these free radicals, keeping you healthy. The most notable antioxidant found in oats are a unique group of antioxidants called avenanthramides. They also contain Ferulic acid.
7. Oats Is Highly Nutritious
While many people only remember fiber when they think of oats, it is rich in a range of vitamins and minerals, including phosphorous, magnesium, copper, zinc, iron, selenium, B vitamins, protein, carbohydrates, and fat. This makes it very healthy and something you should try and eat more of. In addition, pure oats are gluten-free, which makes them great for those with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.
Bottom Line
Oats are a remarkably nutritious food loaded with essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The health benefits of oats include weight loss, improved digestive health, as well as lower blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. Oats are one of the healthy Nigerian cereals you can eat. Thus, you should incorporate oats into your diet.
