Oats are one of the healthiest and nutritious grains on earth. Oats are gluten-free whole grain and a good source of essential vitamins, minerals, fiber & antioxidants. Studies reveal that oats & oatmeal have numerous health benefits like - it helps in weight loss, lowers blood sugar levels and reduces risk of heart disease.
Packed with protein and fiber, oats are designed to increase your energy levels and help you lead a healthy routine. Oats are not only good for your stomach but are super filling, satisfying & versatile. Many people prefer eating oats in the morning.
Oats Benefits
Controls Blood Sugar Levels
Oats help regulate blood sugar & reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes hence diabetics must eat oats on a regular basis. The high fiber & complex carbohydrates slow down the conversion of this whole food to simple sugars & beta-glucan delays the drop in blood sugar levels before meals & slows the rise after meal.
Prevents cardiovascular disease
It is said that the antioxidants present in oats are beneficial for heart disease & dietary fibers helps in reducing the bad cholesterol or LDL without affecting good cholesterol. Oats have plant lignans, particularly enterolactone that protect against heart disease. Therefore, it help reduce the cholesterol levels, keeping the heart healthy.
Prevents Constipation
Oats are a very rich source of fiber, both soluble as well as insoluble that helps in regulating bowel movements thus preventing constipation. If you add oats in your daily diet then it will keep the problem of constipation at bay. Include oats in your breakfast.
Promotes Weight Loss
Oats are low calorie food that slows digestion process and makes you feel full for longer. Hence, it reduces your cravings & help you reduce few pounds.
Reduces Hypertension
If you are suffering from high blood pressure, then daily intake of oats will help fight this problem & in turn, reduce the risk of hypertension. You can add this healthy food in the form of breakfast or during lunch time also.
Benefits of Oats for skin and Hairs
Protects and Nourishes Skin
You can use oats as a soothing agent to get relieve from itching and irritation. Application of oats will also provide a range of benefits to your skin. Oats removes the dead skin cells & act as a natural moisturizer. Just make a smooth paste of oats, add rose water and aloe vera gel and apply it all over your face and neck. Wash it after 15 minutes.
Prevents Dandruff & Hair loss
Oats are not only good for skin but also for the hairs. It prevent the scalps from dandruff and also from hair loss. All you need to do is make a fine paste of oats, add some milk and honey in it and apply on your scalp.
Enhances Sleep Quality
The amino acids and other nutrients present in oats helps in producing melatonin, the chemical that stimulates sleep. And if you mix oats with milk or honey then it becomes a wonderful bedtime snack. Whole grain oats also promote insulin production that helps the neural pathways receive tryptophan. Tryptophan, is an amino acid that works as a sedative to the brain. They are also rich in vitamin B6 that reduces stress (one major reasons of sleeplessness).
Oats Recipes
Oats idli -
Take a cup of oats, add some curd in it and keep aside for 30 minutes. Now put the batter in idli vessel or maker. Enjoy healthy and delicious oats idli.
Oats upma -
Take a pan, add some oil in it. Now put some seasonal vegetables in it. Once the vegetables turn brown, add some oats and water in it. Garnish it with coriander leaves.
Oats khichdi -
Oats khichdi is made just like normal vegetable khichdi. To make it more delicious add some vegetable & moong dal.