Here’s Why Oats Is Good for You

Rebecca Lewis October 30, 2014

Do you love oatmeal for breakfast? Well, you should! This health food is very easy to prepare and comes with so many amazing benefits! Below are among the best:

It’s good for your cholesterol levels.

The cholesterol-lowering effect of oatmeal is due to its high soluble fibre content. In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, soluble fibre was linked to small yet significant reduction in cholesterol. In another study, regular intake of soluble fibre was found to reduce “bad” cholesterol levels, thus reducing the risk of heart attacks and stroke.

It’s so good for your heart.

Apart from the cholesterol-lowering soluble fibre, this all-time favourite morning meal is rich in lignans – a plant chemical that offers protection from cardiovascular diseases. Aside from oatmeal, lignans can also be found in other foods, like flaxseed, broccoli and apricots. Another research published in the American Heart Journal showed that those eating at least 6 servings of whole grains each week may slow progression of atherosclerosis, the build-up of plaque that narrows the vessels through which blood flows, as well as stenosis, the narrowing of the diameter of arterial passageways.

It can reduce the risk of cancer.

Whole grains, including oatmeal, have been shown to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. A 2011 study published in the British Medical Journal showed that the risk of colorectal cancer was 20 per cent lower for people who consumed an extra 90 grams of whole grains each day.

It helps stabilise blood sugar levels.

Type 2 diabetes patients given foods high in this type of oat fibre or given oatmeal or oat bran-rich foods experienced much lower rises in blood sugar compared to those who were given white rice or bread. Eating oats for breakfast may make it easier for your body to keep blood sugar levels under control the rest of the day.

It’s full of antioxidants.

Oatmeal contains avenanthramide – a special type of antioxidant that fights off free radicals that attack high-density lipoproteins, or HDL, which is known as the good cholesterol. They also protect LDL cholesterol from oxidizing from copper, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

It boosts immunity.

Apart from its soluble fibre, oats also contain a beta-glucan fibre. This fibre protects against heart disease and also revs up the immune system. It helps the immune cells seek out and repair areas or the body that may be fighting a bacterial infection.

It may aid in weight management.

Since oatmeal is rich in fibre, it will make you feel fuller for a longer period of time. Fibre increases the viscosity of the stomach’s contents so that it will take longer to empty – a good strategy to manage weight.

So look no further. If you’re looking for food that can benefit your body in great ways, just look into your pantry. You might find some good quality oatmeal there. And you know what to do.