Health Benefits & Side Effects of Oats

Eating oats can protect your system from various serious ailments. Rich in fibres and proteins, they are a good source of essential fatty acids, plant chemicals, amino acids and vitamin E. They also are rich in copper, iron, zinc and magnesium and prevent chronic illnesses when consumed on a regular basis. Read on to know other benefits of eating oats regularly.

Eating oatmeal can lower your cholesterol levels as it is made up of dietary fibres that helps lower the bad cholesterol (LDL) without lowering the good one (HDL).

Calories - one cup of oats contains approximately 607calories

Eating a cup of oats every day with a high-fibre, low-fat diet can do wonders in preventing heart disease. According to a new research, the antioxidants present in oats reduce the ability of the blood cells to stick to the insides of the artery walls and thus reduce cholesterol.

Oats are a rich source of fibre – both soluble and insoluble ones. They are also a good option for people who want to lose weight as the fibres make you feel full for longer and you end up eating less. Children who eat a bowl of oatmeal regularly are less likely to be obese and overweight.

Diabetics should consume oats regularly as oat beta-glucan delays the fall in blood sugar levels before meals and slows the rise after a meal. This means, there aren’t major changes in its level and your diabetes is better controlled.

Oats may help lower blood pressure

If you suffer from high blood pressure, a daily dose of oats will help you reduce it along with other complications that it can lead to. Hypertension is becoming common these days with even youngsters suffering from it due to stress and lifestyle changes. Eating oats can help combat this problem.

A quick and easy way to make your morning bowl of oats tasty is to add chopped dry fruits or cut fruits to it. This will not only add to its taste but will also make it more nutritious. You could also sprinkle a bit of your favorite herbs on it to improve its taste as it might be a bit too bland for the Indian palette..

Find yourself craving a snack? Satisfy this craving with a healthy snack such as oats chaat. It is healthy yet tasty and a good way to beat your hunger pangs than reaching out for your jar of junk food.

Oats may reduce the risk of coronary artery disease

Oats may help lower the risk of colorectal cancer

Side Effects:

Oat bran is LIKELY SAFE for most people, including pregnant and breast-feeding women. It can cause intestinal gas and bloating. To minimize side effects, start with a low dose and increase slowly to the desired amount

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Difficulty swallowing food or chewing problems: If you have swallowing problems (from a stroke, for example) or if you have trouble chewing because of missing teeth or poorly fitting dentures, it’s best to avoid eating oats. Poorly chewed oats can cause blockage of the intestine.

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