Superfood hidden in plain sight - Oats

Superfoods is a term that has gained visibility in every nutritionist, fitness blogger, health expert’s dictionary in recent years. Superfood is essentially any ingredient packed with nutrition per gram - berries, green tea, leafy veggies, chicken liver, fish oil, the list goes on. Oat is one such ingredient that has found itself an honorable mention in this super-list.

Filled with the wholesome goodness of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and healthy fats, it is one of the most versatile and nutritious foods you can find. Superfood oatmeal makes for the perfect nourishing breakfast for days when you need more than just a green juice or smoothie. Since superfoods are all the rage and our bodies love them, why not give your body a little extra lovin’ with the tasty oatmeal?

Oat is a Superfood

One of the most crucial components that make oats such an important food grain is its nutritional content. Consuming soluble fiber-rich foods (that is, oats) is the most effective dietary strategy to reduce blood cholesterol levels. Research shows that oats tend to lower the total cholesterol, blood pressure, and LDL (bad cholesterol) while also providing antioxidants that improve circulation and help reduce inflammation.

Oats are one of the few food sources of beta-glucans with the potential to boost your immunity. This unique fiber helps your immune system respond more rapidly to infections and enhances the ability of your immune system to eliminate harmful bacteria. Oats are also good sources of selenium, manganese, and zinc that protect and support your body’s antioxidant and immune defense.

Consuming Oats is a great way to help keep your stomach full throughout the day. The soluble fibers help stabilize blood sugar levels and prevent hunger crashes. Rich in carbohydrates, oats make the ideal breakfast option. Due to its high levels of Vitamin B, oats boost the energy levels in the body.

Since the fiber component in oats is high, you feel fuller for longer, and you face lesser energy dumps. However, the more that the oats are flattened, the quicker they will cook. In this case, the food will digest faster, and the sooner you will be hungry again.

Versatility

Oats are not only known for their nutritional value but also their versatility. Oats are one of the few whole grains you will find many varieties, making them different from other grains.

Rolled oats are the kind of oats that have been toasted, hulled, steamed, and then rolled. These oats absorb a lot of liquid, cook fairly quickly, and will maintain their shape well when cooked. Instant Oats are found primarily in single-serving oatmeal packets that you can microwave with water for a quick breakfast. These oats are pre-cooked, then dried, cut, and rolled for instant preparation.

Steel-cut oats have a delicious, chewy texture and nutty flavor. Steel-cut oats are whole, hulled oats that have been cut once or twice with steel blades into smaller pieces. These have a longer cooking time than rolled oats but have a wonderful, satisfying texture. Oat flour is prepared when whole-grain oats are milled to a fine powder. This can be used to thicken sauces and gravies or as a binding agent in breading and other baked goods.

Oats have many other variants oat groats, quick oats, and oat bran. Different types of oats can be used and consumed in various ways that benefit your inner and outer body. Power-packed with an abundance of health benefits, you can get yourself an oat-based meal suited to your requirements.

One wonder-grain, many uses

In addition to its benefit to the body when consumed, oatmeal can also do wonders in improving a host of your skin and beauty care needs. Oatmeal soaks up the excess oil on your skin and helps treat acne while keeping your skin moisturized. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties treat and repair dry skin while removing dead skin cells. Oats are also said to be excellent exfoliants as they remove the dirt and oil that clog the pores. This summer, treat yourself with a refreshing oatmeal bath, mask, or scrub, giving your skin the glow it deserves!

Raghav Gupta is a founder at Oateo Oats. After almost a decade of work experience in finance, Gupta, intrigued by the food sector, decided to try his hands and founded his oats brand in 2016 called Oateo.