Here at We Feed You HQ, we love talking about gut health. And we love simple, whole food solutions (which are so much better than expensive, unproven pills and potions). So we just wanted to give a big shout out of appreciation today to oats.
Simple. Unassuming. Been-around-for-centuries-and-still-going-strong oats. Why are oats great for our health and gut health? Well, here’s a few reasons:
Oats contain truckloads of soluble fibre (about 3g of soluble fibre in one ¾ cup serve of raw oats), and soluble fibre helps to slow digestion, and keep us feeling full. The less processed varieties like raw or steel cut (rather than ‘quick’ oats) can even help us manage our blood sugar, due to their high soluble fibre load.
The beta-glucans in oats can bind with cholesterol-rich bile acids in the intestine and transport them through the digestive tract and eventually out of the body (effectively reducing our cholesterol intake).
Oats also contain plant compounds like phytoestrogens. The antioxidant activity of these compounds mean reduction in inflammation both in our gut and systemically throughout our bodies.
Oats contain prebiotics (fibre that stimulates growth of good bacteria in our guts). So you can basically think of them as a health food for your gut bugs.
And last but not least, a bowl of warm oats really is like a big, warm hug that will keep you going, nourish your soul and do you a whole lot of good.
