Patriot Health Digest
There is no doubt that oatmeal is among one of the top healthy foods. It is not only one of the best for weight loss, but it also helps your cholesterol, lowers your chances of getting chronic diseases, and is filled with good fiber. And yet, while health conscious people tend to know about these benefits, there are some benefits of oatmeal that people don’t know about.
1 — Oats lower your appetite.
Do you often eat a bowl of cereal or two in the morning and still feel hungry? Unless your cereal has a lot of fiber or you are also eating other breakfast items like fruit, you will possibly feel hungry after eating even multiple servings of cereal.
Oatmeal is a whole different story. According to a study detailed in the Journal of American College of Nutrition, oatmeal can lead to more fullness and lower hunger compared to average cereals.
This study also reveals how calorie intake during the meal after the meal with oatmeal (such as lunch) was greatly decreased, meaning the people within the study felt full after eating their oatmeal and ended up consuming less during their next meal.
2 — Oats aids with inflammation.
Along with decreasing your cholesterol and keeping you fuller for longer, a bowl of oatmeal also has the antioxidant named avenanthramides, which is a type of polyphenol that research shows has anti-inflammatory benefits.
This antioxidant has also been connected to lowering blood pressure by expanding nitric oxide levels, which also decreases your risk of getting atherosclerosis, a disease that is caused by a buildup of cholesterol in your arteries.
3 — Oats help your insulin levels.
Oats are a great source of beta glucans, a fiber that improves your insulin response, according to research detailed in the journal Nutrients. Oatmeal aids with glucose control, which is especially important for diabetes patients. When your body gets carbohydrates (like with oatmeal) it breaks those carbs down into glucose. The pancreas makes insulin, which transforms the glucose in your bloodstream into energy. Insulin aids in managing your blood sugar which is directly linked to weight gain and weight loss.
However, complex carbohydrates—such as oatmeal—can help your insulin response and gives you better energy throughout the day.
4 — Oatmeal aids your gut health.
You might have heard of probiotics before and how they work on your gut health, but have you heard about prebiotics?
Oatmeal is a form of prebiotic, which helps to fuel probiotics thanks to its beta-glucan fiber. This aids in strengthening your gut bacteria. You know the saying “food is fuel?” Well, oatmeal is literally a form of fuel for your good bacteria, keeping your gut biome happy—and aiding your overall digestion.
Author: Steven Sinclaire
