Benefits of eating a bowl of porridge every day:
Lower cholesterol levels – especially LDL (‘bad’ cholesterol) – 20 – 25% reduction after 8 weeks.
The substance in oats that lowers LDL cholesterol is a soluble fibre called beta glucan; it also helps in the control of blood glucose by delaying the digestion of dietary carbohydrates.
Anti-Cancer Properties
Oats, like other grains and vegetables, contain hundreds of phytochemicals (plant chemicals), which are thought to reduce the risk of getting cancer. Furthermore, oats contain phytoestrogen compounds called lignans, which have been linked to a decreased risk of hormone-related diseases such as breast cancer. The insoluble fibers in oats are also thought to reduce carcinogens in the gastrointestinal tract.
Antioxidant Benefits
In addition to their fibre benefits, oats are also a very good source of selenium, which works with vitamin E in numerous antioxidant systems throughout the body and aids in the prevention of heart disease.
Avenanthramides [1] – antioxidant compounds unique to oats, help prevent free radicals from damaging LDL cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, suggests a study conducted at Tufts University and published in The Journal of Nutrition. (Potential health benefits of avenanthramides in oats [2]).
Last, but not least, oats keep you regular!
Links from Scientific Journals:
Oat cereals reduce the need for anti-hypertensive medication [3]
Avenanthramide and prevention of atherosclerosis [4]
Potential health benefits of avenanthramides in oats [2]
Avenanthramide and breast cancer [5]
Cholesterol lowering effects of beta-glucan [6]
Anti-inflammatory, antioxidative actions and antiatherogenic properties of oats. [7]