Oatmeal is a hot breakfast cereal that can offer many health benefits if you eat it on a regular basis. It is simple to prepare and it is one of the best options available to start your day out right. Be sure that you are eating natural oatmeal because many of the pre-packaged instant types of oatmeal contain high levels of sugar and other unhealthy ingredients.Studies show that eating a daily serving of oats not only lowers total cholesterol levels, but also reduces the risk of developing heart disease. In addition to being rich in heart healthy soluble fiber, oats offer a variety of other nutrients that boost health.
Health Benefits of Oats
- The antioxidants in oatmeal protect against heart disease. The "lignans" in oatmeal have also been found to prevent heart disease.
- Oatmeal is a great breakfast if you are trying to lose weight. Eating oats will fill your stomach without consuming a large amount of calories.
- If a person has diabetes, oatmeal can be effective at maintaining lower blood glucose levels. The soluble fiber in oatmeal slows starch digestion, which in turn helps to prevent a fast increase in blood sugar.
- When it comes to strong teeth and bones, phosphorus, which is also found in oats, is just as important as calcium. Phosphorus also boosts energy and plays an important role in healthy digestion.
- Oats also contain iron, which helps boost immunity, increase energy, and produce collagen.
Amount
- 100 grams of oats contain 10.6 grams dietary fiber.
Calories - 389
Minerals Contained
- Potassium - 429 mg
- Phosphorus - 523 mg
- Calcium - 54 mg
- Magnesium - 177 mg
- Iron - 4.72 mg
- Sodium - 2 mg
- Manganese - 4.916 mg
- Zinc - 3.97 mg
- Copper - 0.626 mg
- Also contains trace amounts of other minerals.
- Vitamin B1 (thiamine) - 0.763 mg
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - 0.139 mg
- Niacin - 0.961 mg
- Pantothenic Acid - 1.349 mg
- Vitamin B6 - 0.119 mg
- Folate - 56 mcg
- Contains some other vitamins in small amounts.