There are many reasons why adding oats to your regular diet can help improve your health and wellbeing.
In this post, we look at how often you should eat them, the best time of day to eat them, and why oats are fundamentally a great type of food to consume.
Seven Reasons to Add Oats to Your Diet
As perhaps one of the greatest whole grains of all, they can be eaten as a standalone meal or added to muffins, cookies, smoothies, and more.
Here’s our list of reasons why oats are great for your health:
#1 – They’re packed with nutrients
Oats give you protein, carbs, and fiber; but they also have a range of essential minerals and vitamins too. They are one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat for your breakfast, here’s a list of what they typically contain.
- Iron
- Folate
- Copper
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Vitamin B1, B3, & B6
- Zinc
- Phosphorus
- Manganese
#2 – They can help control blood sugar levels
Oats contain something called Beta-glucan, and this is a type of soluble fiber that can help reduce a person’s blood sugar levels.
#3 – They’re good for heart health
Aside from being beneficial for the digestive system, fiber is also connected with heart health too. Beta-glucan is recognized by the FDA as a key dietary component that can help to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Aside from oats, most grains are generally regarded as good for helping reduce cholesterol and hypertension; both of which can have an adverse impact on heart health.
Studies have revealed that starting the day with a nutritious, fiber rich meal such as oats can help with maintaining a healthy weighthttps://t.co/lvccBDZ81W
— A Health Blog (@AHealthBlog) October 14, 2020
#4 – They contain antioxidants
Oats contain a relatively exclusive type of antioxidant, known as avenanthramides. This specific group of antioxidants, including Ferulic acid, is particularly beneficial for the regulation and control of blood pressure.
#5 – They’re good for skin health
Back in 2003, the FDA approved the inclusion of an ingredient called Colloidal Oatmeal in skincare products. Colloidal Oatmeal is essentially very finely ground oats.
Even before this approval, oats and skincare products date back a long way. In fact, in many countries, oats are a common natural remedy for treating the skin of children with chickenpox.
#6 – They’re good balancing cholesterol
This is another benefits links to the inclusion of Beta-glucan in oats; in that regular consumption of oats can also help to reduce LDL cholesterol levels.
#7 – They’re filled with protein
In just a regular-sized serving, you can expect to get approximately 5g of protein. In terms of grains vs protein content, this is a generous amount and again, great for a balanced diet.
Whether you choose to oats on their own for breakfast, add some healthy fruits, nuts, honey; or perhaps add them into your baking or homemade smoothies, there are lots of reasons and ways to benefit from regularly eating oats.
