Many can agree that oats are among the healthiest grains you can eat, considering they are packed with numerous important vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The oat grain is harvested and processed to remove the inedible outer hull. This leaves you with the oat groat, which is further processed to make oatmeal.
It is important to note that oat bran is the outer layer of the oat groat, which sits just beneath the inedible hull. Even though oat groats and steel-cut oats naturally contain bran, oat bran is also sold as its own product. Oats with bran are linked to numerous health benefits, such as improved blood, sugar control, healthy bowel function, and lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
In this simple guide, we uncover the health and nutrition benefits accompanying the inclusion of oats with bran in your diet plan.
Filled with Nutrients
Oat bran boasts a well-balanced nutritional composition. Even though it has similar amounts of carbs and fat as regular oatmeal, oats with bran contains more protein and fiber, and fewer calories. It is particularly high in beta-glucan, a powerful type of soluble fiber.
Aside from this, oats with bran offers small amounts of folate, Vitamin B6, niacin, and calcium. Its high nutrient and low calorie conte make it very nutrient dense. Oats with bran are naturally gluten-free but can be contaminated with gluten during growing or processing.
Helps Reduce Heart Disease Risk Factors
Heart disease is responsible for approximately one in three deaths worldwide. Either way, it is important to note that diet plays a vital role in heart health. Some foods can influence your body weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and other risk factors for heart disease.
Oats with bran may help reduce certain risks, such as high cholesterol and blood pressure. For beginners, it is a great source of bet-glucan, a type of soluble fiber that dissolves in water to form a viscous, gel-like substance in your digestive tract.
Beta-glucans may reduce the amount of cholesterol in your blood because they help remove cholesterol-rich bile. Keep in mind this substance aids fat digestion. Other studies note that beta-glucans can significantly reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Keep in mind oat bran is especially high in antioxidants compared to other parts of the oat grain, and it is a particularly good source of phytic acid, ferulic acid, and powerful avenanthramides.