Your Mother was right: Oatmeal is Good for You
Cut your risk of heart disease
You need a hearty breakfast, the kind that sticks to your ribs, like oatmeal. In January, 1997 the Food and Drug Administration announced that oatmeal manufactures can label oatmeal containers with the statement that it ‘may reduce the risk of heart disease,’ when used with a low fat diet. But that is not all the healthy benefits you can receive from oatmeal.
Italian researches say a unique fiber in the oats contains beta-glucan. This stimulates the activities of macrophages, a white blood cell. Your white blood cells help to keep you healthy during the cold and flu season. The cells help kill illness that are triggered by bacteria and viruses.
Oatmeal contains high level of manganese. This is a trace mineral that helps your thyroid gland to regulate metabolism and boast hormones. This could help burn fat faster, increase energy and change your mood. This action could happen as soon as twenty minutes after eating oatmeal.
According to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, oatmeal can help reduce hot flashes, anxiety, fatigue, depression and weight gain. A plant compound in that oats, lignana, helps to balance estrogen levels. As much as 45% improvement can be expected.
Oatmeal is a good source of soluble fiber called beta glucan. This fiber converts the fatty acids into smaller chains that are the main source of nutrition for the lining of your colon. The soluble fibers absorb water which slows down the digestive process. This makes you feel fuller longer, thus helping to control weight.
Oatmeal is high in fiber, low in fat and contains no cholesterol. Oatmeal helps to remove cholesterol from arteries when the pieces of oats act like a sponge and soak up the bad cholesterol. Additional benefits found in oatmeal include: omega 3-fatty acids, thiamine, iron, and antioxidant.
Types of oatmeal
The healthiest form of oatmeal is made from whole grain, steel-cut oats. It is also called coarse-cut or Irish oats. They are better because they retain more nutrients. The steel-cut whole grain oats are made from the inner portion of the oat kernel. It takes longer to cook steel-cut because they are thicker. They taste nuttier and are chewier. Rolled oats are steamed, flattened and toasted. Instant oatmeal is pre-cooked and sweetened and sometimes flavored. It is a popular choice because of time constrains in the mornings. Researchers report no major difference in the nutritional value in each type of oatmeal. Oatmeal has a low GI number of 55. It is your personal choice.
Other uses of oatmeal include treating acne; heal skin irritations by smoothing skin, when used as a facial scrub and neutralize odors, like lining ash trays.