Health Benefits of Oats

My Healthy Foods — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:19:03 +0000

Oat is a robust grain offering much nutritional and health promoting properties. Even after the milling process, oats remain to be an excellent source of both dietary fiber as well as an array of diverse nutrients.

Oats have been cultivated for thousands of years. They have long been revered for their medicinal properties. In fact, oats are considered the “go-to” grain in many traditional cultures around the world. Oat flour has been used to treat skin conditions, help lower cholesterol and help promote optimal health.

Lower Cholesterol Levels

The consumption of oats can greatly decrease your risks of forming chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Oats, oat bran, and oatmeal contain soluble fiber, which directly helps lower cholesterol levels in the body.

Oats are a source of dietary fiber. Fiber may help with weight management, as well as keep your digestive health in check. Fiber also acts to prevent constipation, help lower cholesterol levels, reduce cancer risk, as well as relieve other gastro-intestinal issues. Specifically, consuming regular amounts of high fiber foods, such as oats, may help reduce cancer risk.

Anti-Oxidants and Flavonoids

Oats are an excellent source of phytonutrients with anti-oxidant activity. Anti-oxidants, such as avenanthramides, play a role in decreasing cardiovascular damage. These beneficial compounds neutralize free radicals in the body. Free radicals directly damage blood vessels and can cause cholesterol to build up in artery walls; therefore, anti-oxidants can be helpful in preventing the development and progression of atherosclerosis, stroke, heart disease and arthritis. Avenanthramides have been shown to directly lower LDL cholesterol.

Stabilize Blood Sugar

The fiber in oats may have promising results in the management of Type 2 diabetes. The rise in blood glucose levels is much lower after eating oats compared to eating foods such as white rice. The presence of minerals such as magnesium further helps your body use glucose.

Rich Source of Manganese

Oats contains the trace mineral manganese, which is a critical component in energy production in the body. Manganese is required for bone health, and is used in the formation of both fatty acids and cholesterol. Manganese also plays a role in the maintenance of nerves, and protects the body from oxidative damage.

Source of Selenium

Oats are a rich source of selenium, which acts along with fiber to help lower certain forms of cancer including colon cancer. Selenium also works with vitamin E to act as a powerful antioxidant, which in turn protects the body from heart disease, atherosclerosis and stroke. Selenium also plays a role in protecting against inflammation and thus provides relief from the symptoms of arthritis.

Health Benefits of Brown Rice

My Healthy Foods — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 15:56:14 +0000

Brown rice, commonly referred to as hulled rice, is a form of whole grain that is widely consumed across the world. Brown rice offers more nutrition than the white rice, as well as a more complex and robust flavour. What sets brown rice apart from its white counterpart is in its method of processing. Brown rice is processed by only removing the hull of the grain, producing brown rice. White rice, however, is further milled and includes the removal of the bran and germ layers.

Brown rice is a source of dietary fiber, protein, thiamin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, pantothenic acid, and numerous minerals including, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium.

Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

The essential oils found in brown rice have been shown to help lower total cholesterol as well as LDL cholesterol in the system.

Folate and vitamin B6 promote the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system. Studies have shown that a deficiency of folate, which causes the accumulation of the amino acid homocysteine in the body, significantly increases the risk for heart disease. Homocysteine promotes atherosclerosis by promoting the deterioration of arterial walls as well as promoting blood clot formation. The dietary fiber content in brown rice further helps reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Preventing Birth Defects

The adequate intake of folate (a B vitamin commonly known as folic acid in supplement form) is critical in the prevention of birth defects, such as neural tube defect. Folate consumption is critical for women who are regnant or planning on becoming pregnant. Folate deficiency is associated with the increase risk of birth defects, such as neural tube defect and Spina Bifida.

Brown Rice: High Source of Fiber

Brown Rice is a source of dietary fiber. Fiber may help with weight management, as well as keep your digestive health in check. Fiber also acts to prevent constipation, help lower cholesterol levels, reduce cancer risk, as well as relieve other gastro-intestinal issues. Specifically, consuming regular amounts of high fiber foods, such as brown rice, may help reduce cancer risk.

Rich Source of Manganese

Brown rice contains the trace mineral manganese, which is a critical component in energy production in the body. Manganese is required for bone health, and is used in the formation of both fatty acids and cholesterol. Manganese also plays a role in the maintenance of nerves, and protects the body from oxidative damage.

Source of Selenium

Brown rice is a rich source of selenium, which acts along with fiber to help lower certain forms of cancer including colon cancer. Selenium also works with vitamin E to act as a powerful antioxidant, which in turn protects the body from heart disease, atherosclerosis and stroke. Selenium also plays a role in protecting against inflammation and thus provides relief from the symptoms of arthritis.

My Healthy Foods » Grains

Health Benefits of Oats

Lower Cholesterol Levels

Anti-Oxidants and Flavonoids

Stabilize Blood Sugar

Rich Source of Manganese

Source of Selenium

Health Benefits of Brown Rice

Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Preventing Birth Defects

Brown Rice: High Source of Fiber

Rich Source of Manganese

Source of Selenium