Q: January is National Oatmeal Month. What are the benefits of adding oatmeal to your diet?
A: Each month the Whole Grains Council recognizes a staple of the worlds’ grains. January is Oatmeal’s month because more oatmeal is purchased in January than any other month of the year. The main reasons for this behavior are fewer fruits and vegetables are in season and people create a new year’s resolution to eat healthier.
- Eating oatmeal has many health benefits. Below are some of the many benefits or potential benefits:
- Helps lower LDL “bad” cholesterol and may help reduce the risk of heart disease.
- May help lower blood pressure.
- May help reduce your risk of type II diabetes due to the soluble fiber helping control blood sugar.
- Oats are high in beta-glucans, a starch that stimulates the immune system.
- Early introduction of oats in children’s diets may help reduce the risk of asthma.
- Higher in protein and healthy fats, but lower in carbohydrates compared to other grains.
- Contain anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics.
- Other grains have their bran and germ removed. Oats almost never have the bran and germ removed; meaning the whole grain is present. Australian researchers found oatmeal rated #1 among breakfast foods for making you feel full and rated #3 for making you feeling satisfied.
Even though January is National Oatmeal Month, it is important to remember the many health benefits of including oats and oatmeal in a balanced diet year-round.
The following websites were used as a reference in answering the question:
https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/oatmeal-month/
http://sites.udel.edu/chs-udfoodlab/2016/01/11/january-oats/
http://wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/oats-january-grain-of-the-month