9 Benefits of Eating Oats for Breakfast
Oats are one of the most complete foods out there. They’re a natural source of protein, unsaturated fats, vitamins and other important nutrients that provide wonderful benefits for our body. Keep reading to discover 9 benefits of eating oats for breakfast or as a snack.
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Oats are known as “the queen of cereal grains” and have been consumed for more than 4,000 years. In the past, oats were sometimes considered a food of the lower classes.
However, as time went by, they were incorporated into many cultures and classes. Today, they make up an important part of millions of people’s diets.
The best part about this delicious and versatile food is that we can add them to many recipes to enjoy all the great properties they offer for our health.
Since many still aren’t aware of how healthy this grain really is, here are 9 benefits of eating oats. You should eat oats for breakfast or at least include them in your diet somehow.
1. Oats improve digestive health
Due to their high content of soluble fiber, oats are one of the best allies for promoting healthy digestion.
Daily consumption of this whole grain helps prevent constipation and helps make bowel movements more regular to properly dispose of waste.
2. They lower cholesterol
Thanks to their contribution of linoleic acid and soluble fiber, consuming oats reduces high levels of triglycerides and bad cholesterol present in the blood.
These nutrients “cleanse” the fat deposits that form on the walls of the arteries and therefore help prevent serious issues such as atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.
3. Oats control blood sugar levels
Oats are one of the most recommended foods for patients with blood sugar imbalances. This is because they reduce the absorption of glucose in the intestines. The soluble fiber contributes to stabilizing blood sugar spikes, which significantly benefits diabetics.
4. They keep you full
A breakfast that includes this cereal grain is ideal for prolonging satiety and decreasing the excessive consumption of calories. The slow-absorbing carbohydrates help us control appetite and anxiety.
5. Oats help us lose weight
One of the benefits of eating oats every day is that you can lose weight more easily. Its nutrients not only support metabolism function but also reduce the appetite. Additionally, oats help prevent the accumulation of fats and waste in the body and intestines.
To lose weight, you can include this food in fruit smoothies, milk or mixed with low-fat yogurt.
6. They support the nervous system
Thanks to the high B vitamin content, eating oats on a regular basis is a great way to help maintain the proper functioning of your central nervous system.
7. Oats help prevent thyroid problems
This food should be present in the diet of people with thyroid problems, especially if they have hypothyroidism.
Consuming oats significantly improves your health and prevents metabolic problems since they contain iodine, a mineral that stimulates the production of hormones in the thyroid gland.
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8. They help improve the immune system
Consuming oats is one of the best nutritional benefits that the body’s immune system can get. This is because they contain a substance known as beta-glucan that helps immune cells localize the infection to remove the responsible microorganisms.
9. They have diuretic properties
This cereal grain can help eliminate uric acid and fluids that increase inflammation. This is thanks to their mineral content which includes silicon.
In this way, eating this cereal grain may help prevent diseases like gout or rheumatoid arthritis.
Why should you include oats in your breakfast?
It’s no secret that breakfast is considered one of the most important meals of the day. Nevertheless, many skip this meal. However, breakfast is crucial because it provides energy to the body throughout the day.
In this sense, oats are one of the best foods you can eat to start the day off right. This is not only because of the benefits mentioned above but also because they’re an excellent source of energy and nutrients.
Although you can enjoy them at almost any time of the day, nutritionists advise adding oats during your first meal so that their properties act throughout the day.
So what are you waiting for? Make oats a part of your breakfast today!
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
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- Dykes, L., & Rooney, L. W. (2007). Phenolic compounds in cereal grains and their health benefits. Cereal Foods World. https://doi.org/10.1094/CFW-52-3-0105
- Menon, R., Gonzalez, T., Ferruzzi, M., Jackson, E., Winderl, D., & Watson, J. (2016). Oats-From Farm to Fork. Advances in Food and Nutrition Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.afnr.2015.12.001
- Adom, K. K., & Liu, R. H. (2002). Antioxidant activity of grains. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf0205099