Q: January is National Oatmeal Month. What are the benefits of adding oatmeal to
your diet?
A: Each month the Whole Grains Council
recognizes a staple of the worlds’ grains.
January is Oatmeal’s month because more oatmeal is purchased in January
than any other month of the year. The
main reasons for this behavior are fewer fruits and vegetables are in season
and people create a new year’s resolution to eat healthier.
Eating oatmeal has
many health benefits. Below are some of
the many benefits or potential benefits:
•
Helps
lower LDL "bad" cholesterol and may help reduce the risk of heart
disease.
•
May help
lower blood pressure.
•
May help
reduce your risk of type II diabetes due to the soluble fiber helping control
blood sugar.
•
Oats are
high in beta-glucans, a starch that stimulates the immune system.
•
Early
introduction of oats in children's diets may help reduce the risk of asthma.
•
Higher
in protein and healthy fats, but lower in carbohydrates compared to other
grains.
•
Contain
anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics.
•
Other
grains have their bran and germ removed.
Oats almost never have the bran and germ removed; meaning the whole
grain is present. Australian researchers
found oatmeal rated #1 among breakfast foods for making you feel full and rated
#3 for making you feeling satisfied.
Even though January
is National Oatmeal Month, it is important to remember the many health benefits
of including oats and oatmeal in a balanced diet year-round.
The following websites were used as a reference in answering
the question:
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