Oats! Oats! Oats!
Many people might perceive oats as boring, but if you can talk to your heart, it’ll tell you that oats are exciting. Yummy.
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Who said oats can't be exciting? Scrumptious cookies and muffins can be baked using oatmeal as the main ingredient. |
Yes, you’re right
You know that oats is a 100% natural food and is therefore, good for you. But did you know that it’s especially great for your heart? In fact, oats are actually the only major grain clinically proven to help lower your cholesterol, which will, in turn, significantly reduce your risk of heart disease.
How does this work, you ask? Every day, the cholesterol made in the body is used to make bile acids, which digest and absorb the fat that we eat. When you eat oats, the soluble fibre (beta-glucan) it releases binds the cholesterol-laden bile acids in your gut and both are eliminated through the bowels.
This means the cholesterol is kept from entering your bloodstream, leading to lower blood cholesterol and a reduced risk of heart disease.
Oats also contain insoluble fibre, which adds bulk to the stool and helps it pass through the stomach and intestines more easily.
Besides lowering cholesterol levels, oat soluble fibre (beta-glucan) also helps stabilise blood sugar levels. It slows down digestion and absorption so that it takes more time for the glucose (sugar) in your food to enter the bloodstream. This prevents a sudden spike in blood sugar levels and is especially beneficial for those who have diabetes.
Oats also brings good news to those who are trying to lose weight. Because it is a low-fat source of energy, oats take longer to digest. This means you stay full for a longer period of time and won’t fall into the trap of over-eating. What an effective way to keep the numbers on your weighing scale from climbing up!
-The Star Newspaper, Malaysia.
