Health and Beauty Benefits Of Oats : A steaming bowl of fresh oatmeal is probably one of the best ways to start your day, well at least for some of us. Disliked by many, oats rarely topped the list of children’s favorites despite its glorious records in improving human’s well being. Most parents face a hard time of persuading their children into eating oats and always had to use the cheat way- using oats as toppings, baked as cookies, coating for fried chicken and the list goes on. As for adults, though I doubt if it’s a favorite, a lot of them (especially those aged between 35-80) consume oatmeal on almost daily basis as they are aware of how it can benefit their health, and be used as beauty hacks too.
There are various ways to eat oatmeal, though the most common method is to take it in the form of a cereal drink, with milk and sugar. Some like it with fruits and nuts. Others bake cookies, bread and even cakes out of it. Today, we will be revealing to you the benefits of oats – as in how can it assist in improving your health and beauty.
13 Health and Beauty Benefits Of Oats
1. It lowers the risk of colorectal cancer
The trick here is done by the high fiber content of oats. This was proven through a research conducted by the Britain and Netherlands pooled on whether or not consuming more fiber reduces the risk of colon cancer. Apparently, they found that every time you add 10% of fiber to your daily diet, you can reduce the risk of cancer by 10%.
Also check : 10 of The Best High Fiber Foods
2. Reduces LDL cholesterol level
This is one of the most well known benefits of oats, and the popular reason for many to consume oats. According to some experts, when the fiber in oats becomes digested, it turns gooey and hence adheres to the cholesterol found in intestines and prevents the cholesterol from being absorbed. Later, the LDL cholesterol is rid in the form of waste, thus reducing the chances of it entering your arteries.
Must check : 10 Foods That Lower Cholesterol
3. Improves and protects against heart disease
In most whole grains including oats, a type of phytochemical namely the plant lignan is found. The plant lignans will be converted into mammalian lignans in our intestines, which one of it is known as enterolactone. This will in turn act as a protective shield against heart disease. Not only that, by daily consumption of oats, the risk of heart failure can be reduced by 29%.
Also check : 10 Sneaky Risk Factors Of Heart Disease
4. Keeps blood pressure under control
The exact process remains a mystery to all experts. However, the general idea of it is associated with the high fiber content of oats. In a research conducted by the University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, 73% of the 43 participants with high blood pressure who ate oats everyday managed to reduce their blood pressure medication over 6 weeks time. But, when the daily consumption stopped, two-thirds of them returned to their initial blood pressure medication. This proves that oatmeal, somehow, miraculously improves your blood pressure.
Must check : High Blood Pressure Treatments
5. Oats also prevents breast cancer
If it can prevent colon cancer, it makes perfect sense how it can do the same to cancer of breasts too. As mentioned earlier, the plant lignant in oats is converted into enterolactone. The very same enterolactone that protects your heart also prevents breast cancer. This however depends on the ability of your intestines to convert the substance, which relies solely on your antibody.
Also check : Breast Cancer Symptoms, Stages and Treatments
6. Increase your immune’s response to infection
Oats contain beta-glucan which sort off serves as a captain to all your defending immune cells. It pushes neutrophils, a type of immune cell, to move to the infection area and kill all the harmful bacteria found. Not only that, beta-glucan assists the immune cells to locate the infection source quickly, as well as increase the effectiveness of microbial cleansing and healing. ( More reasons to persuade your kids to take oats for breakfast)
Must check : 10 Natural Antibiotics From Your Kitchen
7. Stabilizes blood sugar level
Beta-glucan does wonders to your sugar level too. According to a study, patients with type 2 diabetes who took oats for breakfast everyday experienced a lower rise in blood sugar compared to those who didn’t. It is also said that beginning your day with oats can keep the blood sugar level stable throughout the rest of the day.
Also check : Health Benefits of Quinoa and Nutrition Facts [InfoGraphic]
8. Improves childhood asthma
Childhood asthma is associated with high sensitivity of the airways to external factors, which later causes it to narrow down automatically. Fortunately, this sensitivity can be reduced (by 80%) with regular consumption of whole grains and fish. When given oats on daily basis, the probability of a child being asthmatic will be reduced by 66%. Fiber improves wheezing too! Maybe, there’s nothing oats can’t do.
Must check : Asthma Treatments and Home Remedies
9. Treatment for rash and itch
Soaking your body in a warm oat bath can help relieve itchiness triggered by a common allergy rash, eczema, psoriasis and many other skin conditions. This is because oatmeal contains anti-inflammatory properties, hence relieves inflammation and soothes itch. You can either add it into your bath, or grind it until it turns into a fine powder. Make a paste out of the powder and warm water, and apply it all over the skin for immediate relief.
Also check : 6 Home Remedies For Diaper Rash Treatment
10. Solution to acne
If you have never seen this side of oats, now is the time to learn it. Did you know that oats make an amazing scrub for acne when mixed with lemon juice and rose water? All you have to do is to soak the oats in hot water for 5 minutes ( mix water and oatmeal in equal parts). Then, add in about two tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice, with another two tablespoons of pure rose water. Mix this until a smooth paste is formed before scrubbing it on the affected skin. You may leave it on for about 10 mins or so. Oats basically exfoliates your skin, and absorbs any excessive oil found in your skin.
Must check : 10 Home Remedies For Acne
11. No more dry skin
Oats are natural moisturizer, well, found in a kitchen. The best part about it is that you can play along with the ways you want to use it for your skin . You may soak your body in an oatmeal bath, or simply make a rough paste out of oatmeal and warm water. If you like it smooth, grind it until it becomes powder. For best results, you might want to mix it with yogurt or tomatoes, to further enhance the moisturizing effect of oats.
Also check : 15 Home Remedies For Dry Skin Problem
12. Even cracked heels
Due to its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties, oats serve as a great remedy for cracked heels. Cracked heels are usually caused by dry skin, hence can be solved with oatmeal. You can make your very own foot soak out of oatmeal, and Epsom salt. Another way it to mix powdered oatmeal with coconut oil ( or even aloe gel). Apply this paste on the cracked heel daily, and leave it on for 25- 30 minutes before rinsing off.
Must check : How To Heal Cracked Heels?
13. Treats oily scalp
This is probably one of the unknown benefits of oats. When you are in a hurry, you may sprinkle some powdered oats on your scalp and then brush your hair. The powdered oatmeal will absorb the excessive oil found in your scalp. But I wouldn’t suggest you to make it a habit, as they can clog your follicles. (This one is more of an emergency backup plan.)
Also check : Home Remedies For Oily Skin Treatment
That will be all from us on benefits of oats. Should you know more, or have anything at all to share with us on oatmeal, do comment below.
