The benefits of eating oatmeal for breakfast

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The benefits of eating oatmeal for breakfast

Registered dietitian Cynthia Sass spoke for the online portal TheHealthy about the health benefits of oatmeal for our body. Among the main advantages of eating this food is the consumption of many antioxidants, as well as healthy weight management.

Social networks are flooded with photos of perfect dishes, from banana homemade bread to fast food that many adore. Thanks to social networks, various shakes and protein drinks, which are adored by fit celebrities, have become popular again, and one of the most popular foods is oatmeal, which was once forgotten. What is so good about this food? Is it just a dish for the social networks of young influencers or is it really healthy?

It is rich in nutrients

Half a cup of dry oats contains 5 grams of plant protein, and an additional 4 grams of fiber, which is supposed to represent about 14 percent of the daily intake. Carbohydrates in oat grains are associated with a wide range of vitamins and minerals, including iron, magnesium, zinc, selenium, B vitamins, and small amounts of calcium and potassium. Quite an impressive selection for such a simple food that is affordable, easy to prepare and versatile.

Oatmeal contains antioxidants

A 2018 study published in Food Research International shows that oats contain compounds called polyphenols that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Polyphenols are supposed to reduce oxidative stress in the body – they help mitigate the activity of harmful molecules called free radicals.

It is an excellent source of fiber

In a 2018 study published in the Polish journal Annals of the National Institute of Hygiene, the beta-glucan found in oats is said to act as an antioxidant. Beta-glucan is also thought to work successfully against some neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. In a 2019 report published in the Canadian Journal of Diabetes, researchers point to the use of oatmeal as a short-term dietary intervention associated with a significant reduction in blood sugar and improved insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes.

This benefit is at least partly due to beta-glucan, suggesting that oatmeal could help lower and control blood sugar. After all, beta-glucan also acts as a probiotic, a substance that promotes the growth of beneficial microbes in the gut, while slowing down or preventing the spread of harmful bacteria.

Oatmeal is supposed to regulate a healthy weight

Oatmeal is said to promote a feeling of fullness due to all the above properties, which is why it is supposed to be satiated faster after eating it. At the same time, it is considered a healthy meal to which we can add all kinds of fruit as well as other supplements, and consequently it helps to regulate a healthy weight.