Health benefits of oatmeal

Oatmeal is food made from oat groats. It is also called porridge, stirabout and oatmeal cereal. Today oatmeal is an important part of breakfast and many families, especially with young children, use it every day for breakfast to provide energy, stamina and nutrition.

Why oatmeal?

Oatmeal is especially suitable for breakfast because it can be cooked in ten minutes, and there are brands that can be easily prepared in the microwave oven. It can be consumed by itself, cooked with water or milk, or it can be added to soups and broths to thicken them. Today the market offers oatmeal cookies, oatmeal bread, and it is used in cosmetics, for making soaps, alcohol, and even pet food.

Athletes eat oatmeal regularly because it provides the necessary energy and stamina for their training.

Oatmeal is the perfect food for babies who are only starting to eat solids, because, depending on the preparation, it can be very soft. Oatmeal easily takes on flavors, which makes it suitable for children who would rather eat candy bars and similar snacks, who can eat it with a bit of vanilla extract, cinnamon, cocoa powder or ground nuts.

Oatmeal health benefits

Oatmeal contains a lot of soluble fiber, which makes it beneficial for people who have high cholesterol levels and high blood sugar and it prevents coronary disease and diabetes. It not only lowers the levels of bad cholesterol, but it elevates the levels of good cholesterol as well.

It is also very rich in various minerals, especially iron, as well as in protein and antioxidants. .

By contributing to a low fat diet, oatmeal is suitable for persons who wish to lose weight, and this has been proven in an FDA analysis from 1997.

Because it contains beta-glucan, oatmeal is recommended for athletes who are on a weight training regimen.

Oatmeal is a good source of carbohydrates, which makes it a perfect meal to start the day with and provide the body with the energy necessary to perform everyday tasks. Furthermore, it regulates the bowel movement and contributes to good gastrointestinal health.

It is an excellent source of vitamin B, which is important for many body functions and it prevents conditions and diseases associated with vitamin B deficiency, like memory impairment, cognitive problems, adrenal system disorders and some types of anemia.

Several research studies are currently focusing on the role of fiber found in oatmeal in the prevention of atherosclerosis, gallstones, problems with veins, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulosis and colon cancer.