Oats have become a firm breakfast option for people these days. This quick, simple and nutritional breakfast is a lifesaver for many, especially the working class. Oats will not just help you to eat something healthy, but also benefit your body and overall health in many ways. They help lower cholesterol, balance blood sugars, give energy and promote weight loss. Find out how nutritious the oats can be in the below content. 

What Are Oats?

Oats belong to the cereal grain family and are scientifically known as Avena sativa. They are mainly cultivated for their edible seeds, which are consumed in the form of rolled oats or pinhead oats. They are highly praised for their nutritional value and versatility. Additionally these goodies are packed with some amazing health benefits and are consumed as a whole grain. It is mainly consumed as an oatmeal, in the form of oat flour or in baked goods. 

Why You Should Start Eating Oats Everyday?

Below mentioned are some of the reasons that reveal why you should eat oats regularly:

Lowers Cholesterol

Oats are packed with beta-glucan, a type of soluble fiber. This fiber type reduces LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) in the blood and promotes heart health. The beta glucan creates a gelatin like substance in the gut after they mix with water. This gelatin substance binds bad cholesterol in the gut before eliminating it from the body. This promotes a thorough detoxification and helps you experience a cholesterol lowering effect. Adults need 3g beta glucan per day, which you can easily get in a bowl of oats porridge. 

Long Lasting Energy

Oats are also an excellent source of energy due to the complex carbohydrates in them. Our body converts both simple and complex carbohydrates into glucose, which is later used as energy. However, complex carbohydrates, the ones that are found in oats take more time to digest than simple carbohydrates. Thus, the glucose enters the blood stream at a more slow pace, which provides a slower and long lasting energy. 

Balances Blood Sugar

Oats contain beta-glucan, which slows the conversion of glucose in the body. This also avoids sudden sugar spikes and helps you to balance the blood sugar levels more efficiently. This also makes oats an ideal candidate for people with diabetes. Fewer blood sugar raises means fewer cravings for sugar.

Packed With Essential Nutrients

As mentioned above, oats are packed with some of the most essential nutrients. They contain a good amount of magnesium, phosphorus, iron, B1, B5 and zinc. Oats also contain polyphenols, a plant compound that prevents harmful free radicals and cell damages. It is also a complete food that you can eat anytime of the day, especially if you are an active individual.

Beneficial For Good Gut Bacteria 

Did you know that our gut is home to trillions of gut bacteria? Yes, these good gut bacteria are crucial for digesting foods, absorbing nutrients and in shielding our immune system from nasty bugs. This colony of bacteria, which is also known as microbiome, needs a proper supply of nutrients to work optimally. Oats feed the good gut bacteria with its soluble fiber content. Regular consumption of oats is a great way to make sure that your microbiome stays in balance. 

Promotes Weight Loss

If you want to lose weight, oats might be an ideal choice. They are low in calories and make you feel fuller for a longer period of time due to their fiber content. They have insoluble and soluble fiber that adds bulk to the stool. This keeps your bowel movement smooth and regular. Replacing a breakfast high in simple carbohydrates with oats, which contain complex carbohydrates avoids late morning energy crash and hunger pangs. 

High in Protein Content 

Oats are suitable for vegetarians who are looking for a clean energy source. In fact, it is a grain that contains the most amount of proteins where you will get 10.9g of protein per 100g. However, they are not a complete protein source. Our bodies need nine essential amino acids to build protein. Although oats have these nine essential amino acids, they don't have enough amino acid lysine to make it qualify as a complete protein. This is why you should compliment them with other food groups to bump up lysine. Sprinkling pumpkin seeds in your oat bowl could be a great choice. 

Healthy Oat Based Snacks

If you are looking for a fun and delicious way to incorporate oats into your daily routine, you can find some of the best snacks provided by Healthy Master. There is a huge category of creative snacks like oat chips, energy bars, and other healthy snacks, which are ideal for a healthy lifestyle. You will also find many other healthy snacks and food products in the store to keep your snack routine, crunchy, yummy and healthy. 

Closing Thoughts

Oats are undoubtedly a nutritious food to include in your diet routine. They contain important vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. They can be highly beneficial for your body and overall health. However, as they are also rich in fiber, it is important to consume them in moderation. In case, if you have any dietary restrictions, make sure you take the help of a nutritionist or health expert to ensure it is suitable for your health.