Doctors and nutritionists have for centuries touted the benefits of a diet rich in fiber.

1996 research findings at the Harvard School of Public Health indicate that there is a marked reduction in the risk of heart attack in individuals who have a high intake of fiber. It is no surprise then that oats, with 55 % soluble fiber content, and 45 % insoluble, have become one of the most popular health foods today! Tufts University research shows that a diet rich in oats significantly reduces cholesterol and lowers blood pressure. The soluble fibers in oat reduce bad cholesterol (LDL), without lowering the good cholesterol (HDL). These soluble fibers also slow down starch digestion, thus monitoring the release of sugar into the blood, and therefore enabling effective diabetes management. Moreover, insoluble fiber in oats attacks some bile acids, thus reducing their toxicity, and fighting cancer. These fibers also facilitate healthy bowel movement.

In fact, it isn’t just in fiber content that oats score high. The overall nutrition profile of this health food is most impressive:

- Oats have a high Vitamin E, Vitamin B1, and Vitamin B2 content.
- Oats contain a higher concentration of protein, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, than most whole grains like wheat, barley, corn, or rice!
- They have a low fat content

What better way, then, than to start your day with a bowl of oats.

Source: American Oats, Learning Info
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