Oats are a type of cereal grain that is commonly consumed in the form of oatmeal or rolled oats.
Oat groats, the most intact form of oats, take a much longer time to cook as compared to rolled, crushed or steel-cut oats. And because of that, most people would prefer the latter.
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Instant (quick) oats are the most common ones that are made available to us. It is a variety of oats that are highly processed.
Oats are commonly eaten for breakfast as oatmeal, which is made by boiling oats in water or milk.
So why should we eat oats?
1. Nutritious
They are a good source of carbs and fiber as well as protein. They are packed with multi vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Some of which are
magnesium
iron
phosphorus
zinc
folate
copper
vitamins B-1 and B-5
You can definitely include oats as part of your diet if you are looking to have a balanced and nutritious one.
2. Lower cholesterol levels
Oats contain a type of soluble fiber called beta-glucan.
Beta-glucan slows the food transit in the intestines, it moves slowly through the digestive tract and bring along the low-density cholesterol with it.
Thus, consumption of beta-glucan is found to be able to decrease low-density cholesterol, or “bad cholesterol,” and it does not affect high-density cholesterol, or “good cholesterol.”
3. Improve blood sugar control
Since beta-glucan slows the food transit in the intestines, it causes carbohydrates to be absorbed slower. This results in a more steady blood sugar.
With this delay in absorption, it helps improve the blood sugar ratio within a human's body, keeping it in control.
4. Weight management
Since oatmeal is rich in soluble fiber, people tend to feel full more quickly after eating it.
Feeling full can help a person reduce their portion size. This can help to prevent overeating. However, discipline is key in this aspect. If one were to lack the self discipline, eating oats might not help in weight management at all.
With a proper diet plan, it would help people to achieve their weight loss goals.
5. Relieve constipation
Given the high levels of fiber in oats, it helps to keep the waste in the gastrointestinal tract to be constantly moving and this would help to relieve or prevent constipation.
The benefits of consuming oats are definitely not restricted to what we have mentioned here. There is so much more that these grains can provide for us, be it in terms of health or diet option.
Given these few benefits of eating oats, are you now inclined to shifting towards a diet consisting of oats as well? We sure hope that you will give it a good thought and attempt to incorporate this into your diet!
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