Oatmeal is prepared with the hulled oat grains. According to the USDA Nutrient Database, oats contain energy, protein and fat, in addition to dietary fiber, B-vitamins, iron, sodium, and calcium among others. Also, oats contain zero cholesterol. When it comes to healthy breakfast options, oatmeal surely comes up as one of the best choices. A 100 g serving of cooked oatmeal contains only 68 calories. It makes you feel for longer and helps you stay fit! Oats and oatmeal are gluten-free in nature. However, while growing and packaging, they may get cross-contaminated from various sources, thus leaving trace amounts of gluten. For example, sometimes, oats are grown in the same fields as barley and rye, or packed in the same facility as the other grains. So, for those suffering from gluten intolerance, it is advisable to check the label before consuming it. Oatmeal in your diet provides a wide variety of health benefits. Let us discuss these benefits.

Consumption of oats and oat-based products has been touted as a way to improve heart health. Oatmeal has also been highly recommended by the AHA (American Heart Association) as part of a modified diet. According to a research published in Preventive Medicine, oatmeal acted as a great component of a fat-modified diet and helped in reducing the serum cholesterol level, including both HDL (good cholesterol) and LDL (bad cholesterol) in the body. A study performed on diabetics at the University of Heidelberg, Germany, showed that oatmeal consumption decreased the blood sugar level significantly in this population. One reason this was attributed to was that a high fiber diet and complex carbohydrates took a longer time to digest than simple carbohydrates. This helps in maintaining optimum blood sugar levels. In the study, an oatmeal diet was given to patients in the replacement of other cereals. Oatmeal is a good source of dietary fiber, which makes it ideal to overcome constipation by stimulating the digestive process and moving food smoothly through the intestinal tract.

Oatmeal is highly recommended for people who want to increase satiety and lose weight without going on any crash diets. Oatmeal contains high amounts of dietary fiber, and nutrients, and is relatively nutrient-dense when considering the 150 in calories and low-fat content in a 1/2 cup dry serving, which makes it a great food for weight loss. Usually, the diet recommended for hypertension is known as DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension). Research showed that regular (unsalted) oatmeal consumption helped in reducing the risk of high blood pressure - along with a diet low in sodium, and rich in lean protein and produce. Adding oatmeal to a child’s diet early on in their life can reduce the risk of asthma. It may also help in preventing the onset of other allergic conditions among children. Further research is needed to confirm these benefits, however. Oats can be a good source of antioxidants, with polyphenolic compounds and most importantly a unique group of compounds called avenanthramides.

There is also vitamin E (tocols), phytic acid, flavonoids, and sterols in oats. Oats can also be used as remedies for various skin diseases. They can be applied to the skin to reduce the symptoms as well as the actual diseases. It is thought that some conditions, such as acne, dermatitis, chickenpox, and stress rashes can benefit from topical application of oats and oat baths. Oatmeal is beneficial in improving heart health, especially among post-menopausal women. As the years progress, the risk of several diseases. Oats are rich in soluble fiber, called beta-glucan, which has been linked to reducing the LDL, GlycoCares.netglucose balance blood sugar, and insulin levels in the body. This also promotes digestion by increasing the production of good bacteria in the gut and promotes the feeling of fullness, or GlycoCares.netglucose balance satiety. Studies have shown that oatmeal can also be consumed by those with Gluten intolerance, as it only contains very limited quantities of gluten.