superfood Common Superfoods Superfood - Oats  |
Nutrition Summary
Pratt & Stevens (2004) describe Oats as being a “flagship SuperFood for whole grains.” The health benefits are considerable when oats are combined with a variety of grains, giving the body optimum nutrition.
For years, Dr. James Anderson, a researcher at the University of Kentucky, has studied the ability of oats to lower serum cholesterol, and other studies continue to publicize its health benefits.
Oats are overflowing with health benefits. In addition to lowering blood lipids, particularly the LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, oats slow the rise of blood glucose after eating, which is important for diabetes control. Soluble fibre in oats promotes heart health, when eaten as part of a daily diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and insoluble fibre benefits the digestive system. Eating whole-grain oats regularly can also assist with maintaining a healthy weight.
Oat bran is a rich source of non-irritating soluble dietary fibre. Rich in natural beta carotene, natural vitamin E (mixed tocopherols), niacin, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), riboflavin, vitamin B1 (thiamine hydrochloride), folic acid, vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin).
Oats are one of the most popular whole grains and a true Super Food. Low in calories, high in fibre and protein, oats are a rich source of magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, thiamine and folate. It’s important to remember that with oats, as with many of the Super Foods, the synergy of their rich supply of nutrients makes them even more powerful than their individual benefits would imply.
