Oats contain a unique type of fibre that nourishes and restores healthy gut bacteria. This makes oats a great food to eat every day and they are especially suited to breakfast – porridges, muesli or a smoothie with oats.
An anti-inflammatory and antioxidant bonus
And it's not just the fibre in oats that can benefit our gut. It's been discovered that oats contain two unique types of plant nutrients with potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which could benefit our gut as well as our overall health.
There are many foods and substances that can cause inflammation and contribute to the development of a leaky gut, including: Refined carbohydrates, like white bread and pasta. Glutinous grains, like barley, rye, and oats.
To combat leaky gut, eat foods that promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria, including fruits, cultured dairy products, healthy fats, lean meats, and fibrous and fermented vegetables. Avoid processed and refined junk foods.
Oats are high in the soluble fiber beta-glucan, which has numerous benefits. It helps reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels, promotes healthy gut bacteria, and increases feelings of fullness.
"Although oatmeal helps promote weight loss by suppressing your appetite, too much of it can lead to malnutrition and muscle mass shedding," says Dr. Eng Cern. "This is because oatmeals keep you fuller for longer, so you often lose your body's ability to signal you to eat more throughout the day.
Many people with celiac disease are told to avoid eating oats because they might be contaminated with wheat, rye, or barley, which contain gluten. But in people who haven't had any symptoms for at least 6 months, eating moderate amounts of pure, non-contaminated oats seems to be safe.
Background: Oat and its compounds have been found to have anti-inflammatory effects.
It's possible that you may be sensitive to some of the ingredients in oatmeal, such as gluten, or you may not be digesting it properly. Additionally, oats contain a type of soluble fiber called beta-glucan which can cause gas and bloating in some people.
“Oats are loaded with soluble fiber, which is a type of fiber that allows more water to remain in the stool,” says Smith. “This makes the stool softer and larger, and ultimately easier to pass.”
Every time you eat a bowl of oats, they get busy feeding your body fiber, and fiber can help keep things moving through your colons and intestines. And that's great – because you definitely want to make sure that colon is chugging along.
Food Sensitivities to Oats/Grains/Gluten
Your body may heighten the immune system response causing low-grade chronic inflammation. In that case, yes, oats are inflammatory. You may need to avoid oats temporarily while we heal the immune system or permanently if you are someone that doesn't do well with grains.
Studies have recently shown that monounsaturated fats can help reduce visceral fat and inflammation and can be found in almonds, canola oil and California Avocados. As an added bonus, California Avocados also contain carotenoids, an antioxidant that helps lower inflammation.
We recommend staying on the diet for at least 3-4 weeks as it will take about that long to “heal the gut.” Some patients may take up to 3 months to reestablish a normal functioning intestinal mucosa.
The biggest way to tell if your leaky gut is healing is when your energy and vitality have returned, you've regained mental clarity, your mood has improved, you've returned to your ideal weight, and you feel like your best self. It's important to remember that, as with most health concerns, gut health is on a spectrum.
Processed foods, as well as alcohol, can also negatively impact gut health. Prebiotic and probiotic foods like whole grains, onions, garlic, fermented foods, miso and yogurt feed the good bacteria in your gut.
Eat an organic, fibre-rich diet (vegetables, sprouts, lentils, beans, whole grains such as buckwheat, millet, brown rice) as fibre promotes healthy gut function. Include prebiotic and probiotic foods in your diet.
No More Worrying about Calories
A cup of oats delivered 4 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber to help lower body weight, improve cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. It also provided health-building minerals such as phosphorus and magnesium.
Oats help the body in replenishing those essential minerals and vitamins that are lost during a heavy drinking session. In addition to this, oats neutralize acid levels in the body, absorb harmful toxins and raise the blood sugar levels in the body.
Certain grains: Gluten-free oatmeal and brown rice are usually well-received by people with IBS and provide soluble fiber, which helps regulate bowel movements.