Ever wondered why dietitians and physical fitness trainers stress so much on including oats in your breakfast? Ever hunted to for excuses to avoid eating tasteless oatmeal(porridge)? Let me share with you some incredible benefits of eating oats. Trust me when I say this, but even I hated eating oatmeal when I was a kid, but when i realized how health beneficiary it is and how many healthy nutrients it contains, I now make sure that I eat oats or anything made from oats at least once a day.
The scientific name for oats is Avena Sativa. Oats is a whole-grain which is rich in fiber, minerals, vitamins, proteins, healthy carbohydrates and antioxidants. It is considered as the healthiest among grains. Oats, when boiled in water and mixed with milk , becomes a little pasty and mashy. This mixture is called oatmeal or porridge.
Excessively Nutritious
Oats is a huge source of fiber and good carbs that are essential for the healthy functioning of the body. According to a study, 78gm of oats contains iron, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, folate, copper, calcium, manganese, thiamine, but the total calories amount to only 303. So oats gives you a healthy treat and boost of energy without making you gain much weight.
Rich Reserve of Antioxidants
Oats has a high content of antioxidants such as ferulic acid and polyphenol. Another significant group of antioxidants that is found in oats is avenanthramides. This distinctive antioxidant helps in lowering the blood pressure level by producing nitric oxide.
Help in Losing Weight
One bowl of oatmeal will keep your stomach full for a long time. The beta-glucan present in oats delays the time taken by the stomach to empty the consumed food. This helps in losing weight as it allows to only eat as much is required. You can always turn to oats based stuff if you sometimes find yourself craving for junk food. Healthy alternatives include oats cookies, oatmeal cake, oats noodles, oats pasta and many more.
Maintains the Blood Sugar Level of the Body
The fiber content present in oats helps in regulating the blood sugar level of the body. It also improves the heart health since diabetic patients are comparatively more prone to cardiac arrest than non-diabetic people. The lower glycemic-index is also very beneficial. The beta-glucan, due to its solubility, improves the insulin sensitivity of the body and also lowers the ‘bad’ cholesterol present in the body.
Nowadays, oats are no more boring and tasteless to eat. You can find a wide variation in the savory flavors of oats in the market. So, now you can enjoy a breakfast that besides being healthy, is also tasty.
