The Benefits and Harms of Oats You Need to Know

 

Maybe you've often heard that the benefits of oats for the health of the body are very diverse. Oatmeal is one of the foods that is often used on a breakfast menu made from oats and boiled together with liquids such as water or milk.

 

Oats are claimed to be gluten-free whole grains and are a great source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.

 

So, what are the contents and benefits of oatmeal? See further explanation below.

 

Health Benefits of Oats

 

The Food and Drug Administration permits the use of health claims on food labels linking a reduced risk of coronary heart disease with the consumption of soluble fiber beta-glucan from whole grains.

 

The benefits of oatmeal are also predicted to help those who want to lose weight and control hunger levels because of its high water content and soluble fiber. Let's see more below!

 

1. Maintain digestive health

 

One of the benefits of oatmeal is that it can encourage the growth of good bacteria in the digestive tract. In addition, the fiber content in oatmeal can also overcome various digestive disorders such as constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome.

 

While the benefits of oatmeal for stomach acid are considered to be able to relieve symptoms of stomach acid diseases such as ulcers and GERD, however, the benefits of oatmeal for the stomach still need further research.

 

2. Maintain heart health

 

The next benefit of oatmeal for health is maintaining heart health. This is because oatmeal contains avenanthramide, which is an antioxidant that can fight free radicals that attack HDL or known as good cholesterol.

 

In addition, these compounds also protect bad cholesterol (LDL) from the oxidation process and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

 

A study conducted by cardiologists in Taipei found that eating oatmeal regularly can help recover from a heart attack.

 

3. Lower cholesterol

 

The fiber content of beta-glucan in oats has benefits, including lowering cholesterol levels. The fiber plays a role in inhibiting the absorption of LDL or bad cholesterol, which triggers heart attacks and strokes.

 

One cup and a half of oatmeal contains more than 5 grams of fiber, which is enough to reduce cholesterol levels.

 

Side Effects of Oats

 

Although useful, the dangers of instant oatmeal for health still exist if you consume it excessively.

 

1. Increase blood sugar

 

Instant oatmeal contains a lot of sugar in large quantities, and if consumed in excess every day for a period of 2 months, there can be an unavoidable increase in blood sugar levels. This condition has the potential for you to develop diabetes.

 

2. Allergies

 

If you are someone who is sensitive to gluten and phytic acid, then you should not consume instant oatmeal in excess because oatmeal contains these three ingredients, which are easy to cause allergies.

 

Allergies, in this case, are in the form of the appearance of signs of redness on the skin that feels very itchy with stomach nausea.

 

3. Risks of Poisoning

 

Oatmeal is a non-organic food ingredient that is routinely sprayed by farmers using pesticides so that the oat plants are not attacked by pests.

 

Well, most likely, this pesticide settles and is stored well in oat flakes when it is ready for consumption. Eating instant oatmeal in excess can cause poisoning as a result of pesticide substances left in it while going through the processing process.