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6 Benefits of Oats & Why You Should Eat Them Daily

 6 Benefits of Oats & Why You Should Eat Them Daily
6 Benefits of Oats & Why You Should Eat Them Daily

How do you greet each day? Is it with a steaming bowl of oatmeal or do you prefer low-fat yogurt topped with fresh fruit and granola? From breakfast to midday snacks and guilt-free desserts, eating the right foods help fuel you, enabling you to achieve your very best. One healthy staple -- and a favorite of ours -- is oats.  

This hearty grain was consumed over 32,000 years ago by the Palaeolithic people, who made it into a simple flatbread. While enjoyed in slightly different ways today, oats remain a favorite food backed by moms and doctors alike for its nutritional value and effortless preparation.

Oat Health Benefits:

  1. Lowers cholesterol: The soluble fiber found in oats reduces the blood’s absorption of the “bad” cholesterol: the fat-carrying low-density lipoprotein.
  2. Promotes digestion: The insoluble fiber acts as a broom for your digestive tract and removes toxins from the body.
  3. Offers exclusive phenolic compound: Avenanthramide can only be found in oats and is believed to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-itch and anti-cancer properties.
  4. Balances hunger hormones and metabolism: Oats help maintain a healthy metabolism and can help you avoid overeating.
  5. Source of protein: Half a cup of oats contains 6.75 grams of protein, approximately 10-14 percent of your daily requirement.
  6. Feeds you energy: With a high level of complex carbohydrates, oats release energy slowly in the body, providing you with energy for a longer time.

Forms of Oats:

While oats come in a variety of processed levels and forms, they offer the same essential nutrients. Being a whole grain allows it to keep its bran, germ and endosperm intact. Choosing the right oats simply comes down to textural preference.

Instant oats get their name as they are the quickest to cook, and that’s because they are the most processed form.

Rolled oats are kernels that have been steamed -- and surprise, rolled -- until they resemble flat flakes with a nutty texture.

Finally, steel-cut oats, also known as Irish or Scottish oats, take the longest to cook as they are the least processed. Simply chopping the whole grain kernel achieves this chewy, creamy form.

Not into Oatmeal?

We’ve got your back! Each of Gr8nola’s five flavors are loaded with all the benefits of oats (plus other superfoods such as cacao, matcha and turmeric) and are easy to add into your everyday routine. Whether you whip up an oat-milk-based smoothie, bake sweet oatmeal cookies or use one of our many gr8nola recipes, there are endless ways you can incorporate oats into your well-balanced diet.