Oatmeal, the super grain?
Everyone knows that a nice arm bowl of oatmeal for breakfast in the winter makes you feel good and keeps you going throughout the morning, the question is, do we know why? Lets take a look at oatmeal, and you will see that this simple little grain is one powerful health food.
First and foremost, I think we all have seen advertisements, or heard that Oatmel helps lower cholesterol. But do we know why and how? Oatmeal has a soluble fiber called beta glucan. This fiber acts kind of like sponge, and gathers up the bad cholesterol as it moves through your digestive system, and when it exits the body, it takes the bad cholesterol with it. Oats were actually the very first whole grain the FDA recognized as a cholesterol reducer.
With its healty fiber, oatmeal is also a great tool for those trying to lose weight. The fiber helps keep you full longer, and at just 150 calories per half cup, it is good, healthy choice for dieters for breakfast. It also, with all that fiber, helps keep your colon clean and therefore healthier and lowers the risk of colon cancer.
Most of us are aware that oatmeal is also a great skin treatment for not only dry itchy skin, but for Neurodermatitis as well. A mixture of ground oats, warm water and honey used as a mask for 10 minutes will rival the expensive masks bought in stores.
Little known facts about oatmeal.
A single serving of oatmeal is high in carbs, which give you a health energy boost and since it is low in calories and fat, it is a great source of carbs for our morning energy boost! Oatmeal also is full of B Vitamins, which is crucial for the brain and nervous system to function properly. Your morning bowl of oatmeal is giving you a brain boost too!
Another benefit you may not know, according to the American Cancer Society, oatmeal may help prevent some cancers. Since it contails insoluble fibers, it can help the body fight bile acids, reducing the amount of toxins in the body, which in turn, reduces the risk of some cancers.
Lastly, oatmeal is a great skin cleanser and can help reduce or cure acne! As simple as cooking up a bowl of oatmeal, letting it cool to room temperature, and then applying it as a mask for 15 minutes or so. This is a very inexpensive way to cleans and moisturize the skin. and last but not least, applying cooked, cooled oatmeal to your hair and rinsed out after a few minutes, will make is soft, and help strengthen it. You can find oatmeal as an ingredient in many shampoos.
So while we are aware of some of the helth benefits of oatmeal, there are even more reasons to love and use this humble little grain. Try it yourself, and you will find that it really is a superfood.
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