It seems that nothing can make the morning better than a plate of fragrant steaming oatmeal. Although by and large there is no value in what form oatmeal is used: in the form of milk porridge, as a component of a cocktail or other dishes, it still remains a delicious product and the unchanged perfect breakfast of British aristocrats.
What is oatmeal
Oatmeal is, quite simply, steamed and flattened grains of regular oats. And even today, many consider “Hercules” a modern dish, in fact, this porridge for over a thousand years – the first to prepare it were the ancient Greeks.
Modern oats lead their “genealogy” from a wild relative who approximately 7000 years ago “settled” the expanses of China. The ancients actively used the advantages of this cereal. Meanwhile, long before oats became food, ancient people used it as a medicinal plant. Over time, this porridge has become a favorite for many Europeans. She confidently entered the culinary books of Scots, English, Germans, residents of Scandinavia, and in the XVII century reached the shores of America. At present, the largest producers of oats are Russia, USA, Poland, Germany, Finland.
Oats, also known as Avena Sativa, are a widespread cereal in the world, not picky about the soil and capable of producing excellent yields in places where life is more difficult for other cereals. And the incredible power of this plant seems to be transmitted to those who consume food from oatmeal. And, as it turned out, our mothers were right when they said that oatmeal gives energy and strength .farmer-online.com.
Useful Properties
As a rule, oats are included in the diet of a modern person in the form of oat flakes, from which cereals, baked goods (oat bread, cookies), and instant breakfasts are prepared. And in recent years, interest in this porridge has grown significantly. Not least because of its high fiber content and ability to lower cholesterol. Researchers believe that oatmeal effectively protects humans from cancer, cardiac disorders and other equally dangerous diseases. And what else is the benefit of oatmeal porridge – now we will find out in more detail ..
Healthy heart
For 10 years, a group of scientists observed people who cannot imagine themselves without oatmeal. It turned out that such persons are less likely than others to be at risk of developing problems with coronary vessels. Researchers have suggested that the reason for such good performance lies in the fiber, which is rich in oatmeal. ...
Cancer Protector
More people came under the scrutiny of British and Dutch scientists. They watched the lives of their fellow citizens and representatives of other nationalities in order to understand how oatmeal affects the state of the intestines. Bottom line: Individuals whose breakfast includes oatmeal are less likely to develop colorectal cancer. Moreover, scientists have calculated: it is enough to get 10 g of fiber daily, including from oatmeal, to reduce the risk of cancer by 10% ...
Blood Pressure Regulator
At the same time, Americans have come to the conclusion: people whose diet includes whole grains (and oats just belong to those) do not have to worry about a possible sharp increase in blood pressure. As scientists have seen, a whole grain diet affects the human body on the same principle as antihypertensive drugs. ...
Role for digestion and protection against obesity
And although it seemed that it was known a long time ago, but only a few years ago, the British laboratory proved that oatmeal provides a feeling of satiety for a long time, improves the overall metabolism and the functioning of the digestive system organs. Whole grains work well on the gastrointestinal tract, reducing the risk of chronic diseases and obesity. Also, oatmeal has a rather low glycemic index, which makes it a product useful for weight-lifting people. The rich content of fiber preserves the feeling of fullness for a long time. By the way, many successfully test the effectiveness of the oatmeal diet for weight loss.
Another interesting discovery made by researchers. Beta-glucate, acting on the intestines, causes the production of the so-called satiety hormone, which leads to a decrease in calories consumed, and ultimately prevents obesity.
And further. The elderly often suffer from constipation and irregular bowel movements. Many of them resort to laxative medications, although oatmeal can be used instead of pills. Porridge has a mild laxative effect, and in addition, it supplies many nutrients to the body. The experiment showed that consuming rolled oats for 12 weeks in the form of porridge, dessert or an ingredient in soups markedly improves intestinal motility. Almost 60% of the participants in the experience completely abandoned laxative medications after a 3-month oat diet. ...
Antioxidants in Porridge
Oatmeal is high in antioxidants and nutrients called polyphenols. But perhaps the most famous is the group of antioxidants – avenanthramides. These are unique substances that are naturally found exclusively in oats. These amazing compounds regulate blood pressure levels through the body’s production of nitric oxide. The molecule of this substance helps to dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow. In addition, avenanthramides have anti-inflammatory properties as well as relieve itching. Another powerful “oat” antioxidant is ferulic acid ...
Delicious Fiber
Oatmeal is a product that contains an extremely high amount of dietary fiber. Among them is a special type of fiber – soluble beta-glucan, which helps regulate cholesterol levels. Once in the body, beta-glucan dissolves in liquid and forms a thick gel-like substance. It restores the number of beneficial bacteria in the intestines, ensures satiety, and lowers cholesterol and blood sugar ...
Protection for children from asthma
Asthma (an inflammatory condition of the airways) is a very common chronic condition in children. And although not all patients have acute symptoms, recurrent cough, wheezing, shortness of breath are characteristic of many of them. Some researchers suggest that early introduction of solid foods into babies’ diets is one of the reasons for asthma development. But interestingly, this caveat does not apply to oatmeal. On the contrary, the early introduction of oat porridge into the children’s diet only strengthens their immunity and strengthens the body. ...
There are other benefits of oatmeal as well:
- serves as diabetes prevention;
- increases athletic endurance;
- strengthens the immune system;
- improves sleep.
In folk medicine, Hercules are used:
- to strengthen the teeth and bones;
- for the treatment of digestive organs;
- as an antidepressant;
- for removing carcinogens;
- for treatment of urinogenital and endocrine systems;
- with anemia, gastritis, colitis, poisoning;
- to restore the gastric mucosa;
- for getting rid of edema;
- for cleansing the kidneys, liver, blood vessels ...
Infusion of oatmeal to cleanse the body
Another name for this product is oat milk. It’s easy to cook it. To do this, you will have to fill in about a third of a glass of oatmeal with boiled water (cooled). Allow the mixture to infuse (you can night), then strain. Folk healers recommend eating oat milk daily on an empty stomach with a small amount of honey. They say that such an infusion has incredible healing properties, removes toxins, and instead enriches the body with many useful substances.
Nutritional value
Oats are one of the healthiest grains. In addition to being a gluten-free product, it also contains extremely many vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants.
In addition, hercules is known as porridge, which is extremely rich in useful ingredients. This glory was earned by the product thanks to manganese, selenium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, vitamin E, carotenoids and flavonoids that make up it. Manganese, for example, is important for healthy growth, development, and metabolism, phosphorus is indispensable for bone health, copper is considered good for the heart, and iron prevents anemia. You can also talk about the benefits of selenium for a long time, since it is an important antioxidant, on which immunity and the ability to withstand oncological formations depend.
Hercules has a reputation for being useful for reducing weight and blood sugar, preventing heart disease and vascular blockage, and many other health benefits. ...
Nutritional value at 100 g
Caloric content 362 kcal Proteins 11,9 g Fats 6,9 g Carbohydrates 69,5 g Vitamin A 772 μg Vitamin E 0,51 mg Vitamin K 1,9 μg Vitamin B1 0,45 mg Vitamin B2 0,05 mg Vitamin B3 1,03, 5 mg Vitamin B1,2 6 mg Vitamin B0,08 32 mg Folic acid 27,7 μg Choline 351 mg Calcium 24,72 mg Iron 128 mg Magnesium 423 mg Phosphorus 366 mg Potassium 220 mg Sodium 2,51 mg Zinc 0,36 mg Copper 3,39 , 23,2 mg Manganese XNUMX mg Selenium XNUMX mg
Oatmeal for breakfast: the right recipe
As already noted, oatmeal can be consumed in different forms, but the most popular is breakfast cereal. For the simplest way to make breakfast, you will need half a cup of rolled oats, a glass of milk or water, a pinch of salt.
The ingredients are mixed in a saucepan and brought to a boil, then they reduce the heat and boil the porridge until soft. Additional components will help to make oatmeal more tasty and nutritious. This may be cinnamon, fruit, nuts, seeds or yogurt.
In addition, oat-flakes are often used for baking bread, tasty oatmeal cookies and making muesli.
Possible hazards
Despite being a gluten-free grain, oatmeal can sometimes contain small amounts of gluten. This happens when the grains are processed with the same equipment as other gluten-containing grains. This is important to pay attention to for people with celiac disease or hypersensitivity to gluten. ...
Use in cosmetology
Skin value
Skin valueIt is no coincidence that oat extract will be included in many skin care products. Also, home-made cosmetics rarely do without an important component – oatmeal.
Scientists have determined that oatmeal has a protective effect on the skin, relieves itching and irritation caused by various skin diseases. Practice shows that oatmeal is an excellent remedy for eczema. In addition, oat-flakes help moisturize the skin and protect against potential irritants, and thanks to its rich mineral and vitamin composition it nourishes and improves the condition of the epidermis.
Hair Benefits
Hercules is not only good for digestion, this product also provides proper nutrition for the hair. There are hundreds of variations of homemade oatmeal hair cosmetic recipes. An impressive list of useful substances contained in this porridge makes it an indispensable substance for strengthening and accelerating the growth of hair.
As a rule, in most oat masks, cereals are crushed to a state of flour, which are combined with other useful products (vegetable oils, yogurts, kefir, eggs, honey, vitamins). The finished product by consistency should resemble thick sour cream. Keep on hair for at least 30 minutes.
Oatmeal is an amazing porridge with a rich chemical composition. It is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, including unique ones. People have known about the benefits of this cereal for many centuries. And having learned about his amazing abilities, it becomes clear why the famous “Oatmeal, sir!” the British pronounce it with such respect. After all, if it were possible to rank all the known porridges by class, hercules would undoubtedly be the most revered aristocrat among other cereals.
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