By Chisom Ibemere
Oats also called common oats and botanically known as Avena sativa is a specie of cereal grain grown basically for its seed. Oats are harvested for human consumption and are also used as feed for livestock. Oats are nutrient-rich food which are beneficial for lowering blood cholesterol when consumed on a regular basis.
Oats are annual plants and are best grown in temperate regions. They have a lower summer heat requirement and greater tolerance of rain than other cereals like wheat, rye or barley, so they are particularly important in areas with cool, wet summers.
Oats are used in numerous ways in foods; they are rolled into oatmeal or ground into flour.They are chiefly eaten as porridge, but are also used in a variety of baked goods like oatcakes, oatmeal cookies and oat bread. Oats are ingrediens in cereals such as muesli and granola and are used for production of milk substitutes.
Oatmeal contains polyphenols, a plant based compounds that have high amount of avenanthramides which exist exclusively in Oats. They are benefitial to health by producing nitric acid that lowers blood pressure and improves the smooth circulation of blood and prevents skin irritation and inflammation.
Oatmeal contains beta gluten, a soluble fiber that improves the function of insulin and helps reduce the level of blood sugar. Oat meal may be beneficial for patients with type 2 Diabetes.
Oatmeal is a nutrient dense food with numerous vitamins and minerals and low calorie such as magnesium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, folate, copper, vitamins B-1 and B-5. Low calorie foods like oat helps in weight management and maintenance. Its fibre contents helps to control digestive related problems like constipation. It ensures smooth movement of waste materials in the gastrointestinal tracts thereby giving relieve from constipation. It also enhances the production of good bacteria in the gut and prevents the growth of bad bacteria.