Extensive studies have associated oats and oatmeal with plenty of heart-healthy benefits, such as lowering cholesterol (both total and "bad" LDL cholesterol) and helping with weight control. Oatmeal has a host of vitamins and minerals.
To reap the heart-protecting benefits of oatmeal, opt for rolled or steel-cut oats instead of the instant variety.
Not only does oatmeal reduce LDL and inflammation, it's also high in fiber, helping you feel full quickly. “It goes through your digestive tract slowly, so you might not eat as much as you normally would,” Haythe says. Steel-cut oatmeal or rolled oatmeal is best for your heart, she adds.
Oats contain a type of soluble fiber, called beta glucan, which lowers blood glucose and cholesterol levels, thus reducing risk of heart disease and diabetes.
The Breakfast Dr.
“As a cardiologist, I regularly incorporate fruit that is high in fiber and vitamins and low in sugar into my breakfast, including berries, apples and sometimes pineapple—often combined with low-fat yogurt and granola for added fiber content,” says Dr. West.
Though oatmeal is said to help you lose weight, having too much of it can lead to malnutrition and muscle mass shedding. This is because oatmeal is rich in fibre, which keeps you full for longer, so your body loses the ability to signal you to eat more throughout the day.
Consuming Two Eggs per Day, as Compared to an Oatmeal Breakfast, Decreases Plasma Ghrelin while Maintaining the LDL/HDL Ratio - PMC.
Brown rice, rice, quinoa, whole wheat bread, and other whole grains are effective in preventing and managing high blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, and reducing the risk of heart disease.
Potassium in bananas is good for your heart health and blood pressure. A medium-sized banana will provide around 320-400 mg of potassium, which meets about 10% of your daily potassium needs. Potassium helps your body maintain a healthy heart and blood pressure. In addition, bananas are low in sodium.
“Cardiac diet” is an unofficial term for a heart-healthy diet. It's an eating plan that emphasizes foods that promote heart health, such as vegetables and fruits, whole grains, lean poultry and oily fish like salmon and tuna that are high in omega-3 fatty acids.
There is no easy way to unclog an artery once plaque has built up. But, dietary choices, exercise, and avoiding smoking can improve cardiovascular health and stop blockages from worsening. In some cases, medication or surgery may be necessary.
A. If you have the gumption to make major changes to your lifestyle, you can, indeed, reverse coronary artery disease. This disease is the accumulation of cholesterol-laden plaque inside the arteries nourishing your heart, a process known as atherosclerosis.
Yes, lifestyle changes, including diet, smoking cessation, stress management and exercise, can decrease the size of atherosclerotic plaques. They can also help to stabilize them so that they are less likely to break off and block blood flow, decreasing your risk of a heart attack.
Because the plaque is so well incorporated into the wall of the vessel, it unfortunately can't be simply removed or reversed.
Eating oatmeal 3 times a day could potentially have numerous health benefits. Regular consumption of oatmeal can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as type-2 diabetes and heart disease.
The Bottom Line
Oatmeal's high fiber content and prebiotic qualities may benefit your body in more ways than one. Making oatmeal a regular part of your menu can potentially lower your disease risk, help your gut health thrive, make bowel movements easier and keep you feeling fuller for longer.
Oats contain a protein called avenin, which can cause an allergic reaction in some people. A person who has eaten oats can sometimes feel unwell and experience the symptoms of an oat allergy. However, it could be that they have a gluten intolerance.