With health and fitness increasingly becoming a top priority globally, people have started to focus on their diet and lifestyle more minutely. They are ready to undergo a tremendous change to have a healthy life that fulfils their nutritional needs and keeps illnesses at bay. Several diets and foods have made their way up the ladder to be some of the most sought-after in the world of health and fitness. Oats is one such food that is seen on almost everyone’s diet plan. A superfood enriched with a vast nutritional profile, oats are a kind of cereal that is most commonly eaten in the morning meal as rolled oats or oatmeal. But do you know the many health benefits of oats that makes them so popular among the crowd?
Here are some health benefits of oats that you might not know:
1. Heart Health
Oats are rich in soluble fibre, which are known to help lower cholesterol levels. Besides this, oats also contain beta-glucan, which is a lipid-lowering agent. All this contributes to minimizing the risk of cardiovascular problems, including heart failure.
2. Weight Loss
The same soluble fibres of low-calorie oats break down the food faster, leading to faster and smoother digestion. In the process, extra calories are lost, leading to weight loss. It is also full of protein, which curbs unwanted hunger pangs.
3. Blood Pressure Levels
Oats are also super-rich in antioxidants called avenanthramides. These antioxidants produce nitric oxide gas that helps smooth blood through blood vessels, thereby suppressing high blood pressure levels.
4. Diabetes Check
Diabetes is an irreversible condition characterised by increased blood sugar level in the body. Oats boasts of a compound called Beta-glucan, which forms a thick layer in the stomach and keeps it full for long, preventing glucose absorption into the bloodstream. Hence, it keeps the blood sugar levels in check.
Here are 5 ways to include oats in your regular diet:
1. Oats Porridge
2. Oats Smoothie
3. Oats Pancakes
4. Oats Khichdi
5. Oatmeal Soup