In Indonesia, people probably choose to eat porridge, rice, or boiled vegetables instead of bread or oatmeal, despite the fact that, in terms of health, bread or oatmeal are better to be consumed. Oatmeal is a breakfast meal consisting of wheat mixed with liquids such as water or milk. As quoted from Medical News Today, besides being rich in nutrients and fiber, oatmeal also offers many health benefits such as:
- Rich in antioxidants
Oatmeal contains avenanthramides, which is a type of antioxidant contained in wheat. This antioxidant can improve your health by increasing the production of nitric acid, which helps to lower blood pressure, increase blood flow and reduce inflammation and itching. - Increasing insulin response
Oatmeal contains soluble fiber called beta-glucan which can help improve insulin response and reduce blood sugar levels. - Rich in vitamins and minerals
Oatmeal contains minerals such as magnesium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, and folate, as well as vitamins B1 and B5. Eating low-calorie foods that are rich in nutrients is known to help you lose weight and maintain an ideal body weight. - Maintaining cholesterol levels
Several studies have shown that oatmeal can maintain cholesterol levels, thanks to the beta-glucan content in it. Beta-glucan in oatmeal is known to help maintain cholesterol levels by reducing “bad” cholesterol in the body. - Increasing the growth of good bacteria in the intestine
Beta-glucan contained in oatmeal can form a gel-like substance if mixed with water. The gel can be a food source for “good” bacteria in the intestine, so that their growth will increase. - Helping to lose weight
Oatmeal is rich in soluble fiber which can make people tend to feel full faster. A study showed that consuming oatmeal can help reduce the desire to eat for 4 hours.
Text by Anggie Triana
Stock photos from Pixabay
Source(s):
- Medical News Today - What are the benefits of oatmeal? (2019). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324176.php, February 13, 2019.