Oatmeal: benefits and harm to the body

In the menu of almost every Russian family there is sure to be a place for a hearty and nutritious dish - oatmeal. It is included in the diet of the British and residents of other European countries. They eat this aromatic and very healthy porridge in the morning and evening. In the culinary community, an oatmeal dish is usually called "degen". Moreover, not only food for a modest breakfast is prepared from this product: masters of cookery art can offer a huge number of recipes for gourmet dishes and desserts based on oatmeal. A lot of scientific works have been written about the benefits of this cereal culture, and poets of the whole world devote the most beautiful lines to it.

We will try to figure out how porridge made from oatmeal is useful and what disadvantages it has. We’ll tell you how to cook everyday dishes and diet food from it. We also dwell on the purpose for which oatmeal can be used in home cosmetology.

Bunting History

But first, it’s worth turning to historical facts. The very first mention of cereal dates back to the times of Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. Then oatmeal was cultivated in large areas for one purpose - providing livestock with feed. Only at the beginning of the thirteenth century, poor Europeans from cereals began to prepare liquid stew.

In Russia in ancient times, the benefits of oatmeal were appreciated, and therefore it was widely used in the preparation of a wide variety of dishes. Basically, cereals were prepared, as they say today, side dishes for meat and fish dishes. Oatmeal went well with mushrooms and seafood. Later, around the sixteenth century, a rich porridge with a pleasant taste appeared on the tables of our ancestors, and in the nineteenth century porridge was already prepared in milk.

Then flakes appeared - an innovative product obtained in the process of steam processing of grains. In modern cooking, both hercules or cereal and whole cereals are equally often used. Of course, nutritionists are still debating which of the two product options is healthier, but here the consumer is given the right to choose. The fact is that cereal porridge can be cooked in just a few minutes, although the product loses part of its useful qualities during heat treatment.

Nutritional value and chemical composition of oatmeal

It is difficult to find a product of the same equivalent composition as modest oatmeal. Useful substances are presented in such an impressive list that one listing of all the elements will take a lot of time. Therefore, we dwell on the most important components of the composition:

1. Squirrels. This group is represented by substances: tryptophan, lysine, methionine, histidine and other elements.
2. Carbohydrates in cereals are a significant part. These are sucrose, starches, glucose.
3. Fats in cereals are of all three main groups: saturated, polyunsaturated, monounsaturated.
4. Amino acids are interchangeable: serine, tyrosine, glycine, arginine, and a whole series of substances that belong to this group.
5. Minerals are important elements involved in the synthesis and construction of tissues in the body. Of paramount importance are substances: calcium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, iron and other trace elements.

Vitamins are variously presented:

• ascorbic acid (C);
• retinol (A);
• tocopherol (E);
• the vitamin complex of group B is reflected in oatmeal in all its diversity.

It remains to add that in the composition of oatmeal there is completely no harmful cholesterol, which violates the patency of blood vessels. The usefulness of oatmeal as a food product is difficult to overestimate. In addition to the listed nutrients, this cereal contains dietary fiber, which helps to direct the digestion process in a normal way. This whole complex saturates the body tissues with the necessary substances, supplies the building material to the cells.

Calorie Oatmeal

There is an opinion that oatmeal, like any other porridge, contributes to the collection of extra pounds. Such statements are based on the characteristics of the composition of cereals: after all, 100 grams of the product accounts for almost 56 g of easily digestible carbohydrates. Such an indicator corresponds to 230 kcal - the indicator is really rather big. But all the carbohydrates in oat are complex starches. Therefore, they are slowly processed, turning into an energy resource. That is why oatmeal is energizing and gives a feeling of fullness.

The benefits of oatmeal in the morning

In many adults, childhood memories are associated with the school time, when in the morning for breakfast, my mother cooked porridge from hercules flakes. And a light aromatic haze over this unpretentious dish aroused appetite. But the main thing is that such a breakfast energized for the whole day. Interestingly, children's food preferences often remain for life. Nutritionists explain this phenomenon with a rich and balanced composition of oatmeal. Here are just some of the beneficial properties of this unique product.

1. A high iron content ensures normal blood formation and maintenance of the proper level of red blood cells. And this is an excellent prevention of anemia.
2. Calcium is the main building material of the skeletal system, and phosphorus prevents the development of osteoporosis. Both elements positively affect the work of the heart, strengthen the walls of blood vessels. The condition of the hair and nails depends on them.
3. Zinc takes care of strengthening the immune forces. Oatmeal can be considered a champion in the content of this essential element. In general, zinc is actively involved in almost all biochemical processes in the body. With a deficiency of this component, disability decreases, mental activity declines, the condition of the teeth and bone tissue suffers.
4. Sodium regulates the water-salt balance, and potassium improves the functioning of the heart and vascular system.
5. Magnesium affects the functions of the nervous system and brain. With a sufficient content of this element in food, the brain works productively, providing good memory and attention. This factor is especially important for children and people involved in intellectual activities.
6. Antioxidants are abundant in oatmeal. Substances with the ability to cleanse the body of toxins and free radicals help prevent the development of oncology. In addition, antioxidants stimulate blood circulation, improve memory, vision and hearing.
7. Beta-glucan is a unique biological compound that has a powerful effect on the immune system, reduces the concentration of bad cholesterol, and improves skin condition.

In addition to the components listed here, in the list of useful elements there are many more substances that have a positive effect on the human body. A special property of oatmeal is the ability to saturate tissues with energy. Therefore, any person who eats a small portion of cereal from whole grains or oat flakes for breakfast, feels a surge of strength.

What is useful oatmeal

From the foregoing, it is clear that the inclusion of oatmeal in a nutritious diet will help maintain important biochemical processes in the human body at a normal level. Indeed, each element of the composition of this unique cereal performs its useful function. Consider what positive changes this dish can provide to people, depending on their gender and some natural physiological characteristics.

For women

The female body is very sensitive to external factors. Especially their negative impact affects the state of the dermis of the face. Oatmeal can work wonders if it is taken as the basis for homemade cosmetics. From ground grain, you can prepare a nourishing mask, as well as effective remedies for wrinkles and pustular rashes. In addition, oatmeal has the following positive properties:

1. Accelerates the metabolism. This quality is especially useful for the body of girls, because it contributes to the rapid absorption of nutrients and the withdrawal of toxic products.
2. Cleanses the intestines from toxins, improves its peristalsis. Many women complain of problems associated with regular bowel movements. Eating cereal foods will help normalize this function.
3. Improves the circulatory system. It is known that varicose veins are more common in women. Oatmeal can be an effective prophylactic against this pathology.
4. Oatmeal helps to normalize weight. Many quick weight loss diets are based on oatmeal. Moreover, the use of cereal in any variant is allowed, that is, in the form of bran, sprouted grain or traditional cereal.
5. Improves mood. Since serotonin is listed in the list of useful components, dishes from this cereal positively affect the emotional background. Scientists have proven that just a few days of regular consumption of oatmeal inspire optimism and increase a person's performance.

It is so arranged by nature that a woman at any age seeks to look attractive. And in creating such an image there are no trifles, that is, nails, hair, and face should look perfect. It turns out that oatmeal is able to improve the condition of nails and revitalize female curls with a healthy glow.

For men

Organisms of different sexes are not much different from each other. Therefore, do not re-list the beneficial effects that oats have on a man. Let us dwell only on certain points that relate exclusively to the stronger sex.

It has been scientifically proven that the content of the hormone testosterone is extremely important for men's health. For the normal production of this secret, a sufficient content of tocopherol, or vitamin E, is required. This component is present in oatmeal. Therefore, porridge from oats or whole oats will only contribute to the production of sperm.

During pregnancy

With the onset of pregnancy, the body of the future mother especially needs proper nutrition: after all, now he must provide the fetus developing in the womb with a set of useful substances. Doctors strongly recommend that women in a position to eat oatmeal and other healthy dishes from this cereal daily. The rich content of the natural product will provide not only reliable support and protection of the female body at such a crucial stage in life, but also provide invaluable assistance to the unborn child. To verify this, it is enough to list the main properties of oatmeal:

1. Due to the content of folic acid, the fetal nervous system is correctly formed. This element prevents the appearance of developmental defects.
2. A sufficient iron content is necessary for the full blood formation of a small organism. The future mother will help iron cope with irritability and tearfulness.
3. Pregnant women often complain of constipation. Since oatmeal has a lot of fiber and fiber, it has a mild laxative effect.
4. Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, smoothes out the manifestations of toxicosis. Oatmeal dishes at any stage of gestation will help to cope with nausea, as well as stabilize the digestive tract.
5. For better assimilation of nutrients, it is recommended to combine oatmeal with fruits or drink fresh fruit and berry juices.

In addition to these positive properties, cereal will help get rid of edema, which quite often worries women in the second half of pregnancy.

When breastfeeding

The diet of a lactating woman has special requirements.Given that along with breast milk, substances harmful to his health can enter the baby’s body, a woman’s diet during lactation should consist exclusively of safe products. In this case, the diet should be high-calorie. Oatmeal meets all these conditions. Nutrients contained in oatmeal improve the quality of breast milk and provide a supply of nutrients to the body of not only mothers, but also the newborn baby.

I would like to pay special attention to the presence in the cereal of a whole complex of vitamins and minerals, which are essential for the full development of the baby in the first year of life.

An important point! Oatmeal does not stimulate weight gain. Therefore, oatmeal can be safely included in the menu 2-3 times a week. For women with any type of diabetes, this product will help maintain normal blood sugar levels. Since this cereal culture has a beneficial effect on the condition of tooth enamel and hair, this will help a nursing woman to cope with many problems with her appearance in the postpartum period.

For children

The opinions of pediatricians regarding the usefulness of oatmeal are the same. Experts believe that its set of useful qualities can be compared with buckwheat. Young children grow quickly, and therefore their body is constantly in need of building material. Protein, calcium, and phosphorus are present in oat grains in excess. There are necessary vitamins and healthy fats there.

Kids spend a huge amount of energy on games and knowledge of the world around them. Oatmeal is able to meet the needs of little fidgets to replenish these important resources. Elements of cereal composition are actively involved in the following processes:

• in the formation of the nervous system of the child;
• in his intellectual development;
• in hematopoiesis;
• in strengthening the immune forces;
• in the formation of the bone skeleton and muscle tissue;
• in the normal course of digestive processes and a number of important functions.

Since the intestinal system of young children does not cope well with food processing, babies often have constipation or, conversely, loose stools. Oatmeal will help regulate normal bowel movement. But the main advantage of this dish is the ability to satisfy the feeling of hunger for a long time.

Pediatricians recommend giving infants porridge from ground oat grains as complementary foods from 8 months, provided that the child has no signs of diathesis. Otherwise, it is worthwhile to transfer the acquaintance with this useful product until the child is 2 years old.

When losing weight

Oatmeal is the base product of various diets aimed at weight correction. The ability of cereals to remove toxins and supply tissues with nutrients makes such dietary programs very effective. Two types of diets are mainly used: tough and sparing.

1. The first option is to use only one oatmeal on water for a week. Supplementing the diet is allowed with green tea without sugar or with a rosehip broth.
2. A sparing diet allows for supplements in the form of fruits, butter, sugar.

With such a strict diet, it is possible to lose up to 7 kg per week. But, in addition to losing weight, such a diet helps to stabilize the psycho-emotional state, establish sleep, increase physical activity.

Oatmeal in medicine

Dishes based on oatmeal or hercules are an essential part of the diet of patients with various pathologies. For example, during the period of rehabilitation therapy after abdominal operations, such patients are prescribed a sparing diet, in which oatmeal is given the main place.This dish is included in the nutritious diet of patients with cardiovascular pathologies, diseases of the kidneys, liver, and respiratory system. Let us dwell separately on the benefits of this porridge for some diseases.

With diabetes

In diabetes mellitus, patients are assigned a special nutrition program, the main purpose of which is the effective regulation of glucose concentration. This problem can be achieved due to the properties of dietary fiber, which is in oats. In addition to cereal, diabetics are allowed to include baked goods and various desserts prepared using oatmeal in the diet.

The results of scientific studies have shown that regular consumption of oatmeal helps patients with type 1 diabetes to reduce the dose of insulin.

Important: the glycemic index of oatmeal is 60 units.

With pancreatitis

In the inflammatory process of the pancreas, enzymatic functions are disrupted, which negatively affects the functioning of the entire digestive system. Therefore, such patients need a sparing diet. In the acute form of pancreatitis or with an exacerbation of chronic pathology in the first few days, the patient is generally supposed to be on a hungry diet. But on the second day it is already possible for such patients to give liquid oat soup or porridge on water without salt. At the same time, dishes are prepared from flour obtained from whole grains or cereals.

Later on, jelly, cookies, soufflé, and other types of desserts are added to the menu. The advantage of oat diet with pancreatitis is that porridge copes with the removal of toxins and does not create a load on the pancreas. A viscous consistency of the dish protects the mucous membranes of the digestive tract from the harmful effects of bile.

With gastritis

People suffering from gastritis are contraindicated in eating spicy and fatty foods, so as not to aggravate the condition of the already inflamed mucous tissues of the stomach. But oatmeal in the diet of such patients must be present.

If the patient adheres to a diet based on oat grains, after a few days the acute symptoms will recede and the process will smoothly go into remission. In addition to light cereals, people suffering from gastritis can include oat jelly and various desserts in the diet. Such a diet will help quickly localize inflammation and improve the functioning of the digestive system.

For cleansing the intestines

With strong intestinal slagging, the overall well-being of a person noticeably worsens. With the help of oatmeal, you can quickly and effectively solve this problem. For effective cleansing, you need to eat a daily meal in the morning on an empty stomach, prepared from two tablespoons of oatmeal, drenched in a glass of boiling water. Sugar and salt should not be added.

There is another simple option: put 3 tablespoons in the dishes at night. whole grains, pour a glass of water. You can use milk. In the morning, add a little dried fruit and honey to the mixture. Such breakfast will help to quickly cleanse the intestines.

For constipation

Systematic constipation can cause intoxication of the whole organism. To stimulate intestinal motility, it is recommended to introduce oatmeal in any cooking option. A high level of fiber in the product and the ability to envelop the mucous membranes will help restore normal intestinal performance. The same effect will provide mucous jelly from hercules flakes. To improve the taste, fruit slices can be added to such a dessert.

With gout

Gout is characterized by a violation of purine metabolism.This dysfunction causes the accumulation of uric acid in the joints, which is accompanied by severe pain and inflammation of the affected organ. To reduce the concentration of harmful uric acid, such patients are prescribed a special diet. One of the key products of the diet of patients with gout is oatmeal. Small portions of nutritious porridge will help to balance the disturbed balance of substances.

With colitis

In the early days of the acute period, patients with colitis should generally minimize the amount of food consumed. This requirement is due to the pronounced symptoms of the disease, which gives patients incredible suffering. But on the 2-3rd day it is already possible to introduce into the diet a mucous decoction of oatmeal on water.

With the improvement of well-being, the patient will be able to switch to light cereals and soups. During remission, it is allowed to add a little milk during the preparation of the dish.

Oatmeal in cosmetology

Traditional medicine offers a lot of recipes to maintain beauty and youth based on oatmeal. This product, affordable and unique in quality, helps preserve the freshness and attractiveness of the skin, improve the condition of the hair. As an example, we cite only two popular recipes.

Nourishing face mask

Ingredients:

• oatmeal - a handful;
• kefir - 50 ml;
• honey - 15 g;
• salt is a pinch.

After mixing the listed components, apply the resulting mass to previously cleansed face skin. Leave the mask for a quarter of an hour, and rinse the field with warm water. The procedure restores the complexion, helps get rid of black spots and acne.

Mask for strengthening hair

The sequence of manipulations:

• pour crushed cereal with warmed milk;
• when the base swells, add a few drops of vegetable oil;
• rub the mixture into the roots, wrap the head with polyethylene;
• after half an hour, you can wash off the mask from the hair with any shampoo.

How to cook oatmeal: recipes

There are an incredible amount of oatmeal cooking options. Let us dwell on the classical methods.

In milk

Pour three glasses of milk into the dishes, bring to a boil, then add salt and sugar to taste. After this, you can fill in oatmeal (a glass). The porridge should be brought to readiness with constant stirring. Already in the finished dish is allowed to add a little butter.

On the water

Previously, the initial ingredient, that is, oatmeal flakes, must be filled with water according to the 1: 2 scheme. Put on fire, and when it boils, add salt and sugar (1/2 teaspoon each). When the dish is cooked, add butter. Porridge should stand for several minutes, and only then it can be served on the table.

In a slow cooker

The cooking process is extremely simple: 1 dose cup of cereal is poured into the capacity of the multicooker, sugar and salt are added there. It is advisable to dilute the milk a little with water and warm. Then pour ready-made flakes, add 20 g of oil, close the lid of the appliance and run the option “Milk porridge”. After 25 minutes of cooking, a fragrant dish can be served with dried fruits or other delicious additives.

How to choose porridge for porridge

In the distribution network you can find several varieties of oatmeal:

1. Whole grain cereal. Such a product is desirable to choose for diet food. True, cooking porridge in this case will take more than two hours.
2. Untreated cereal. Such a product is easily recognized by the boxes. It is ideal for a diet with gastritis, ulcers, colitis.
3. Instant flakes. This product during processing loses many useful qualities. It is usually used for a quick bite, but it is not suitable for diet food.

As you can see, depending on the goals, you can choose any convenient version of the product.

Harm and contraindications

Despite the impressive list of useful characteristics, oatmeal has some disadvantages.

First of all, you need to take into account the risk of allergic consequences if a person has an individual intolerance to at least one of the components of the composition of the cereal product. Oatmeal dishes should not be abused for diabetics. With heart and kidney failure, doctors recommend completely abandoning the use of this cereal.

Interesting facts about oatmeal

1. In Russia, oatmeal was pounded, not milled. And from the oatmeal, they baked bread and prepared a lot of other delicious dishes.
2. Experienced housewives use oatmeal to remove unpleasant odors from the refrigerator. It is enough to pour a handful of cereal into the container and put it on the shelf in the refrigerator.
3. In folk medicine, oatmeal is used to treat sunburn. To do this, soak a few flakes in milk, and apply the resulting mass to the burn site.
4. The French doctor Katerin, who lived in good health until 120 years old, drank oatmeal tincture daily. This man believed that only due to an unusual drug he managed to reach this age.

Photo of oatmeal