Oats (Avena sativa)

Oats have been cultivated for thousands of years. Traditionally the staple food in Northern Europe, it is a warm and sweet-tasting nutritious food, ideal for cold climates. For medicinal purposes, the whole plant is usually used, which is collected when the grains are ripe.

Traditionally, naturopaths have prescribed oats and oats straw tea as a tonic for nervous weakness, fatigue, and insomnia from arousal.

Oats are a separate group within the grass family. That also explains why oats are different and have specific nutritional properties that are not present in the three gluten-containing grains wheat, barley, and rye, and also differ from rice, for example.

Oats are a plant with many beneficial health properties:

Dietary fiber

Oats are best known for the beta-glucans it contains. Beta-glucans are unique soluble dietary fibers that lower cholesterol levels with a consumption of at least 3 grams per day in combination with other (healthy) foods that are low in saturated fat.

Oil

Oats are the only cereal that accumulates oil in the seed. Certain varieties can contain up to

10-15% oil. This oil consists of 80% unsaturated fatty acids, which means that oats contribute to lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Protein

The oats protein is highly digestible and contains all essential amino acids, most of which are in large quantities. This allows oats to serve as a meat substitute. Because these proteins have a different amino acid composition than the gluten in wheat, barley and rye, they do not pose any problems for people who cannot tolerate gluten.

Starch

Oats starch digests slowly and completely. Oats therefore provide a gradual release of glucose into the blood (low glycemic index) Because of this, oats have the potential to help stabilize blood sugar in diabetes. In obese people, oats starch in combination with oats fiber can provide a long-lasting feeling of satiety, making weight management easier. Because of these properties, new health claims for oats are under development.

Vitamins, minerals and antioxidants

Oats are rich in vitamins and minerals. Of the phenolic compounds in oats, the avenanthramides in particular have an anti-oxidant activity and atherosclerosis and anti-inflammatory action.