Oats have been around for a long time but have recently become popular after people realized their many nutritional benefits. This low-calorie food that’s rich in fibre and other nutrients offers benefits for our health, skin, and hair. Additionally, it’s a diverse meal that can be eaten as a breakfast dish or a healthy snack. You can add fruits and nuts to your oats not only to boost their taste but also their nutritional value. Here are some health benefits of oats.
- Controls Blood Sugar Levels
High-carb diets can cause resistance to insulin which results in type-2 diabetes, which is one of the most common chronic illnesses today. Oats help in reducing the risk of developing this chronic disease as it controls sugar levels in the body. Due to its high fibre content, it slows the conversion of meals to sugar thus providing the body with a steady supply of sugar between meals. Oats are also a great meal for people who suffer from diabetes to help them manage the illness.
- Promotes Heart Health
Cardiovascular diseases occur as a result of a variety of factors including unhealthy diets. High consumption of saturated fats can lead to high cholesterol which clogs the blood vessels resulting in diseases like strokes and heart attacks. Oats contain nutrients like Vitamin E which are highly favourable for a healthy heart. This along with the soluble fibre helps fight bad cholesterol. In fact, the fibre content is linked to a 12% decrease in cholesterol which in turn, reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases significantly.
- Boosts Energy
Oats are great to kick start your morning. They not only boost your energy levels but also give you a steady supply in between meals. Therefore, it can help you beat fatigue in the middle of the day by keeping your stomach full and your energy high. It’s highly recommended for pregnant women as they require extra energy to avoid feeling sluggish during their pregnancy. 5 Smoothie Recipes To Boost Your Energy
- Promotes Weight Loss
Losing weight entails a combination of exercise and a healthy diet. In fact, your fitness journey starts right from the kitchen. As such, it’s necessary to stock up on foods that promote your weight goals. Oats are known to help in digestion and are a popular meal among fitness enthusiasts. It not only offers a steady supply of energy while working out but also has a filling effect which reduces the temptation of overeating. As such, you should add oats to your meal plan if you want to lose some weight. Weight Loss: 10 Great Fat Burning Foods
- Exfoliates The Skin
You can add oats to the list of foods that are great for your skin. It contains an array of vitamins and minerals that promotes healthy-looking skin. For instance, a mineral known as saponin works as a cleanser to remove dirt and dead skin while the amino acids in oats help lighten dark spots and discolouration. Whether you use it topically or you consume it, the properties in oats can give you glowing and youthful skin.
- Improves Sleep
As mentioned, oats are a versatile dish that can be eaten at any time of the day. When eaten at night, it can help improve sleep quality. This superfood contains melatonin, a hormone that’s been linked to sleep control. We normally produce melatonin to help us fall asleep. However, external factors such as noise, light, and stress can affect sleep quality leading to insomnia. Oats help increase melatonin in the body making it easier to fall asleep. Can’t Sleep? How To Avoid Or Beat Insomnia
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