Introduction
Oatmeal is a nutritious and delicious breakfast option that can have a major effect on your gut health. According to dietitian, oatmeal is a great source of dietary fiber, which helps to keep your digestive system running smoothly. Fiber helps to keep your gut bacteria balanced, which can help to reduce inflammation and improve overall gut health. Additionally, oatmeal is a great source of prebiotics, which help to feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut. Eating oatmeal regularly can help to improve your digestion, reduce bloating, and even help to reduce your risk of certain diseases. So, if you’re looking for a way to improve your gut health, adding oatmeal to your diet is a great place to start.
One Major Effect Oatmeal Has on Your Gut, Says Dietitian — Eat This Not That
Oatmeal is a popular breakfast food that is packed with nutrition and can have a major effect on your gut health. According to dietitian and nutritionist, Dr. Lisa Young, oatmeal is a great source of fiber, which helps to keep your digestive system running smoothly. Fiber helps to keep your gut bacteria balanced, which can help to reduce inflammation and improve overall gut health.
Fiber also helps to keep your blood sugar levels stable, which can help to reduce cravings and keep you feeling fuller for longer. Oatmeal is also a great source of vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, iron, and zinc, which can help to support your immune system and keep your body functioning optimally.
In addition to its gut-friendly benefits, oatmeal is also a great source of protein, which can help to keep you feeling full and energized throughout the day. It’s also low in calories and fat, making it a great choice for those looking to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
If you’re looking for a delicious and nutritious way to start your day, oatmeal is a great choice. Not only will it help to keep your gut healthy, but it will also provide you with essential vitamins and minerals, as well as a good source of protein. So, if you’re looking for a way to improve your gut health, oatmeal is definitely a great option.
Oats have earned their long-standing reputation as one of America’s favorite breakfast staples. They are affordable, easy to find, satisfying, and packed with nutrition. Oats are usually eaten as a recognizable warm cereal: oatmeal perhaps topped with brown sugar, cinnamon, and bananas, or blueberries and walnuts. Although oats have also been appearing in more and more products such as non-dairy milk, bread, smoothies, granola, and breakfast bars. Oats’ real claim to fame, however, is its beneficial effect on our gut.
A major advantage of oats in human health is the fiber content. Oats are a tremendous source of “beta-glucan”, a particular type of soluble fiber. Beta-glucan is one of only three fermentable soluble fibers (along with inulin and pectin) which has the power to improve the environment of our gut for colonies of healthy bacteria to thrive.
Two studies from the British Journal of Nutrition in 2014 and 2019 reported that whole grains, such as oats, may increase the diversity of the microbiota, such as encouraging more growth of the health-promoting probiotic of the genus Bifidobacterium. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are produced from these fermentable fibers and help the body absorb important minerals like calcium, iron, and magnesium.
The journal Nutrients explain that short-chain fatty acids go on to promote further gut integrity, exert anti-inflammatory effects, help improve immunity, and can inhibit the expression of harmful pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli.
Hopefully, we have convinced you to begin or continue including oats in your eating pattern! Let’s look at the common oat types you’ll see at the grocery store and how they are different.
- Steel-cut oats: Also known as coarse oats, pinhead oats, or Irish oats, these oats are made from cut oat groats (kernels) sliced into two or three pieces with a sharp metal (steel) blade. They cook faster than oat groats because water can more easily get absorbed into the smaller pieces.
- Old-fashioned oats: These oats are also called rolled oats. They are made by steaming oat groats and rolling them into flakes, so they are flat and have a greater surface area.
- Quick oats: This oat type is steamed longer and rolled thinner than old-fashioned oats.
- Instant oats: These are the smallest or thinnest version of oats and absorb water and cook very quickly (usually just one to two minutes). Be sure to purchase instant oats that contain little to no added sugar.
For healthy oats recipes, here are the 51 Healthy Overnight Oats Recipes for Weight Loss.
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