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Oat bran is the edible, outermost layer of the oat kernel. In
fact, oats heave been recognized as a food and an herb. Like oatmeal
it has B complex vitamins, protein, fat, minerals, and heart healthy
soluble fiber. When eaten regularly, oatmeal and oat bran may help
to lower total cholesterol levels by 25% or more within a very short
time period (one to three months). In addition, oat bran can help to
reduce the bad LDL and raise the good HDL cholesterol. Many moms
have learned that most families like oat meal or oat
bran.
Oat bran is rich in a soluble fiber called beta-glucan.
In 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration passed a unique
ruling that allowed oat bran to be registered as the first
cholesterol-reducing food at an amount providing 3 grams of
beta-glucan per day, although some evidence suggests this level may
not be high enough to make a significant difference. Several trials
have shown that oat bran supplementation can significantly lower
cholesterol levels in people with elevated cholesterol, but only
weakly in people with healthy cholesterol levels. Breads containing
oat bran may, therefore, be beneficial at lowering elevated
cholesterol.
Health Benefits of Oat
Bran
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
Soluble
fibre from oats lowers cholesterol levels in the blood. Consuming 3
g of soluble fiber from oat products per day (provided by three 28 g
servings of oatmeal or one large bowl of oat bran cereal) has been
shown to decrease total cholesterol by approximately 1.8 %. It is
estimated that a 1 % reduction in total cholesterol could lower the
incidence of coronary heart disease by around 2 %.
Some
studies suggest that oat consumption may reduce blood
pressure.
DIABETES
Oats reduce blood glucose
and insulin responses. Control of blood glucose and insulin levels
is essential in prevention of many of the complications associated
with diabetes.
ATHELTIC PERFORMANCE
Oats have
been shown in scientific studies to favorably alter metabolism and
enhance performance when ingested shortly (45 minutes - 1 hour)
before prolonged endurance exercise (> 2 hours) of moderate
intensity.
OTHER BENEFITS
Preliminary studies
suggest that beta-glucan from oats may enhance the immune response.
Further research is required to investigate the potential
immune-boosting effects of oats however.
There is currently
insufficient evidence to suggest that oats promote weight loss or
improve compliance to a reduced-calorie diet.
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