11 Benefits of Oat Flakes |
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According to an ancient legend oats are responsible for the strength and health of Scots.
Traditional Scottish breakfast always included oatmeal.
Scots are not the only ones that are considered as oat lovers. Oats are a favorite breakfast of many nations and they can be considered as one of the favorite foods in the world.
Oats are delicious, practical and healthy.
Oats are fast, nutritious and satiating meal that will provide you with energy for the whole day.
To make them, the whole groats are steamed and softened and then pressed between rollers to form flakes after which they are dried.
Nutritionally, old fashioned oats are nearly identical to steel-cut oats, but they are cooked quicker.
Due to containing high amounts of minerals and fibers, oat flakes have many health benefits.
Reservoir of Valuable Nutrients
The energy value of 100 g of oat flakes is 347 Kcal.
They contain 19% of carbohydrates and 13% of proteins.
Oat flakes contain beta-glucan and highly valuable water-soluble fibers and therefore are considered beneficial for health.
They contain minerals and vitamins such as manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, copper, magnesium, chrome, zinc, potassium, calcium, B vitamins, folic acid, pantothenic acid, choline, and vitamins K and E.
11 Benefits of Oat Flakes
1. Lower Cholesterol
30 years ago Dutch scientists discovered that oats have a great effect on lowering the levels of bad cholesterol.
Today this has been confirmed in 20 scientific researches.
Oat flakes contain beta-glucan which in its special form lowers bad cholesterol.
Cup of oats daily, decreases levels of cholesterol for 8 to 23%.
2. Regulate the Digestive System
Nutrition rich in fiber decreases gassiness and prevents constipation.
Fibers contained in oat flakes soften the stool and stimulate digestion.
Cup of oatmeal contains 4 g of fibers, of which 2 grams are unsolvable and important for good digestion.
3. They Can Help you Lose Weight
Half a cup of oat flakes contain 159 kcal and just 2 g of fat.
That is surprising when you realize how full you get for so few calories.
Because there is so much fiber in oats, they actually promote the feeling of having a full belly, while beta-glucan helps in lowering your appetite.
If you are trying to lose weight and restrict your calories, oatmeal is the perfect snack that will provide you with energy and keep you satisfied until your next meal.
4. They Keep Heart Healthy
Researchers from one study at Harvard studied 21,000 participants over 19 years.
They discovered that men who ate a daily bowl of whole grain, such as oatmeal in the morning, had a 29% lower risk of heart failure.
This is because oats are full of omega-3 fatty acids, folate, potassium and calcium – all heart loving fatty acids, vitamins and minerals.
5. Protect the Skin
It is well known that oats are great for dry and irritated skin.
Starch contained in oats creates a barrier that helps the skin to keep its moisture. They can also be used for skin peeling.
Oat flakes are excellent for making body masks, baths and peelings.
6. Control Blood Sugar Levels
Breakfast made with oat flakes helps in stabilizing blood sugar levels.
Oats are a low glycemic food which means that their effect on growth of blood sugar levels is minimal.
Beta-glucan has a positive effect on diabetics that suffer from diabetes type 2 because it keeps blood sugar levels stabile.
It lowers the risk of insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and heart diseases.
Therefore oat flakes are more than welcomed as part of diabetic’s diet.
7. They Have a Calming Effect
Even though oat flakes are usually recommended only as a breakfast meal, they are also good food choice before going to bed.
Scotts recommend eating oatmeal for good and peaceful sleep.
Oatmeal contains melatonin, complex carbohydrates and tryptophan that have a calming effect and also vitamin B which stimulates the production of serotonin – the hormone of happiness.
8. Reduce the Risk of Colon Cancer
British and Norway scientists showed the connection between nutrition rich in fiber and reduction of the risk of colon cancer.
Their research included 2 million participants. They discovered a 10% risk reduction of colon cancer for each 10 grams of fiber eaten a day.
2010 study showed that avenanthramides – antioxidants contained in oats – lower the expansion of colon cancer cells.
9. Energy Booster
Oatmeal is an excellent source of carbohydrates and proteins that give energy to your body.
One scientific study showed that consummation of oatmeal 60 to 45 minutes before physical practice gives you more endurance and is beneficial for metabolism.
10. Boosts Immunity
Connection between immunity and oats has often been examined.
Beta–glucan contained in oat flakes has many healing benefits.
Beta-glucan is considered as the most powerful natural immunity activator and stimulator. It can boost your immunity many times.
It helps with inflammations by improving the flow of neutrophils to the infected area and their capability of eliminating bacteria.
11. Oat Flakes are Simply Delicious!
Oat flakes prepared as oatmeal are a delicious snack that can be included to your everyday menu.
Oat flakes can be used for preparing various sweet or salty meals and they can be combined with other ingredients.
They are often used as an addition to pudding, soups, muesli, cutlets, cakes and cookies.
Oat flakes also can be used for producing natural cosmetics.
They are suitable for persons who are gluten intolerant because evidences show that people suffering from celiac disease can eat oats regardless of the minimal level of gluten they contain.
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