While it may not be a popular or favorite of many as pancakes, waffles, and cereal seem to be, oatmeal can provide many benefits to your health that the others do not. Let’s make something perfectly clear. The oatmeal that is being referred to in this article is not the kind that comes in different (artificial) flavors and loaded with sugar. This is about the real stuff – which is the plain oat flakes. There are ways to make it taste great and enhance its gains to you that shall be mentioned. Read on to learn some oatmeal health benefits.

Consuming food to drop weight sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? Well, since oatmeal is rich in fiber, it’ll make you feel full for a longer period of time. This is key in preventing the need to snack on salty and sugary snacks throughout the day.  Some research has linked a lower risk of obesity in children who eat oatmeal regularly. Along with helping to prevent weight gain,  the fiber in oatmeal provides a boost to your immune system and protects against heart disease via assisting the immune cells in checking for areas of the body that may be fighting infection. Allergic or sensitive to gluten? Have some oatmeal. It’s naturally low-gluten. Or, grab a bag or box of the gluten-free, sugar-free version.

The benefits of fiber don’t cease with weight gain prevention. An eating plan rich in fiber, as is oatmeal, will help stabilize blood sugar levels and alleviate those mid-morning slumps due to eating a lot of sugar, the wrong types of carbs, and not enough protein and fiber in the morning. In addition to fiber, oatmeal also is a good source of an important mineral called magnesium. Magnesium is vital to regulating the body’s insulin and glucose levels. When glucose and insulin levels are under control, this can lower the risk of developing diabetes.

Being high in heart-healthy fiber, oatmeal provides a number of cardiovascular benefits including a decreased risk of developing high blood pressure and lower risk of heart failure. Studies have shown that men particularly can reduce their risk of heart failure by eating a bowl of oatmeal per day. Post-menopausal women are encouraged to eat 5-7 servings of oatmeal on a weekly basis to assist in the prevention of high blood pressure. Also, oatmeal, with its commendable amount of soluble fiber,  helps lower the body’s cholesterol level.

The fiber in oatmeal provides numerous benefits for your body including preventing weight gain, protecting against heart disease, stabilizing blood sugar levels, regulating insulin and glucose levels,  reducing the risk of developing high blood pressure and heart failure, and lowering cholesterol. In order to reap and enjoy all of these gains, add some fruit (fresh or frozen) like apples, berries, kiwi for added vitamins, fiber, and flavor. Have some oatmeal in the morning or anytime of the day. What you may not realize is that one bowl of oatmeal a day may help keep the doctor away.

 

~ centerfield6

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