Introduction
Oatmeal is a great way to start your day, and it can also have a major effect on your cholesterol levels. According to dietitian Eat This Not That, oatmeal is a great source of soluble fiber, which helps to reduce cholesterol levels. Eating oatmeal regularly can help to lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol and raise your HDL (good) cholesterol. Oatmeal is also a great source of other essential nutrients, such as magnesium, potassium, and iron. Eating oatmeal can help to keep your heart healthy and reduce your risk of heart disease. So, if you’re looking for a way to improve your cholesterol levels, adding oatmeal to your diet is a great place to start.
One Major Effect Oatmeal Has On Your Cholesterol, Says Dietitian — Eat This Not That
Oatmeal is a great way to start your day, and it can also have a major effect on your cholesterol levels. According to registered dietitian nutritionist, Amy Gorin, oatmeal is a great source of soluble fiber, which helps to reduce cholesterol levels.
Soluble fiber binds to cholesterol in the digestive tract and helps to remove it from the body. Eating oatmeal regularly can help to reduce your total cholesterol levels, as well as your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
In addition to helping to reduce cholesterol levels, oatmeal is also a great source of other nutrients. It is a good source of protein, iron, magnesium, and zinc. It is also a great source of B vitamins, which are important for energy production.
When choosing oatmeal, it is important to look for the least processed option. Steel-cut oats are the least processed and contain the most fiber. Instant oatmeal is more processed and contains less fiber.
To get the most out of your oatmeal, top it with some fresh fruit, nuts, or seeds. This will add more fiber and other nutrients to your meal. You can also add some milk or yogurt for extra protein.
Eating oatmeal regularly can help to reduce your cholesterol levels and provide you with other important nutrients. So, start your day off right with a bowl of oatmeal and enjoy the health benefits!
Oatmeal is one of the most popular breakfast choices in the United States, and it’s for good reason. Not only is it delicious, but the health benefits of oatmeal are through the roof. Oats have been known to help manage blood sugar, improve your gut microbiome and gut health, help you manage your weight, and even help you lower your cholesterol.
According to our medical expert Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, author of The First Time Mom’s Pregnancy Cookbook and Fueling Male Fertility, oatmeal can help you lower or manage your LDL cholesterol because of its unique fiber content.
“Oatmeal has a fiber called beta-glucans, and this fiber is a superstar addition to a diet when people are trying to lower their cholesterol, as this fiber essentially ‘binds’ LDL cholesterol, allowing it to be removed from the body before it is absorbed,” says Manaker.
Continue reading to learn more about how oatmeal can lower cholesterol, and for more healthy heart tips, check out The Best Foods That Can Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease.
Oats are full of both soluble fiber and insoluble fiber, which is what gives them many health benefits. Soluble fiber turns into a gelatinous substance in your body and has been known to help specifically with cholesterol, blood sugar, and healthy digestion.
Insoluble fiber does not dissolve and instead helps you stay regular and softens your stool. Both types are important in maintaining a healthy diet.
Foods like oats, wheat, and barley contain a very specific type of fiber called beta-glucans, which falls under the category of soluble fiber.
“The evidence surrounding the benefit of oat beta-glucans on cholesterol is so strong that the FDA authorized the use of a heart-health claim whenever oats are used in a food,” says Manaker.
According to a report published in The International Journal of Molecular Sciences, beta-glucans can help you manage your cholesterol levels by altering how much cholesterol is absorbed into your body when you digest food.
Another study published in Nutrients found that those who consumed 3 grams of beta-glucans every day for eight weeks were able to lower their LDL cholesterol (the “bad” cholesterol) by almost 15%.
The unique fiber content of oatmeal, especially its beta-glucans, is one of the main reasons it is so heart-healthy and effective in lowering your cholesterol.
But oatmeal is just one part of the equation. Lowering your cholesterol oftentimes requires multiple lifestyle changes, such as limiting your consumption of alcohol, saturated fats, and trans fats, while increasing your amount of healthy fats, fiber, and daily exercise. So grab a bowl of your favorite oatmeal, and enjoy a heart-healthy start to your day!