Any person who has ever had or recently went for a medical health check-up and found his or her blood cholesterol level to be on the higher side would have surely been advised on a diet change ; then given a “little” pep talk about what constitutes ‘good’ food and what constitutes ‘bad’ food.
Now I am quite confident to say that chances are one food is always on the ‘good’ list and comes ‘highly recommended’. Can you take a guess?
If you said oats, then you’re absolutely correct.
Oats are always going to be on that ‘good food’ list and there’s little wonder why. Summarising the benefits of oats:
- Oats lower cholesterol levels as it is a significant source of a dietary fiber that contains a mixture of about half soluble and half insoluble fibers. One component of the soluble fibre in oats is beta-glucans, which is the prized soluble fiber proven effective in lowering bad blood cholesterol (LDL) without lowering good cholesterol (HDL).
- Oats are rich with particular antioxidants (unique to oats) that significantly bring down the risk of developing Cardiovascular Diseases (especially for postmenopausal women).
- Eating oats works to stabilize the body’s blood sugar level. It can spread the rise in blood sugars over a longer time period which is right up the ally for those whom it is essential to control their blood glucose and insulin levels to avoid the many complications associated with diabetes.
- The fibre from oats, similar to other whole grains, fruits and vegetables act as cancer fighting agents (especially breast cancer). They contain hundreds of phytochemicals (plant chemicals) that are believed to reduce a the risk of getting cancer; this is because the phytoestrogen compounds, known as lignans have been linked to the decreased risk of hormone-related diseases such as breast cancer.
- Oats will keep your blood pressure in check, as its soluble fibre is known to reduce hypertension/ high blood pressure. A natural solution to those nasty side-effect filled anti-hypertensive medication.
- Oats is the answer to weight control. Its’ almost magical soluble fiber when digested forms a gel which delays stomach emptying keeping you feeling full for longer- ultimately resulting in weight loss.
- Oats and sports/exercise go hand in hand, because it is a prized source of carbohydrates which provide calories for the body’s energy needs. Furthermore it favourably alters metabolism and enhance performance.
- Oats enhances immune response to infection and is the ‘tonic’ for general health and longevity. It has:
- High concentration of well-balanced protein
- phytochemicals (plant chemicals) to fight cancer
- a good balance of essential fatty acids
- one of the best amino acid profiles of any grain
- a good source of essential vitamins such as thiamin, folic acid, biotin, pantothenic acid and vitamin E.
- a rich source of zinc, selenium, copper, iron, manganese and magnesium
- Oat beta glucan which helps speed up response to infection and quicker healing
So now that we know the benefits of oats, I just have one question . Why would we compromise those benefits by eating non-organic oats? Is there is difference? Of course there is.
Non-organic oats are sowed, harvested and processed with chemically laced practices. How is oats going to work it true magic and help us fight cancer when it itself contains traces of cancer inducing chemicals?
Now if you’re asking me if there’s a difference in taste, then I can assure you there really is and organic oats are much tastier and their consistency is better. I always add some honey to mine and I think it makes a delicious and simple meal when you’re short on time.
I am aware that anything organic is going to cost more but it is money well spent. Besides it’s oats we’re talking about, how much do you think you can/need to consume at a time. It’s very very filling.
Remember, don’t just eat oats, eat organic oats.
