Eating oats for a short period of time could have a profound impact on cholesterol levels, according to a recent study.
Researchers at the University of Bonn in Germany conducted a study in which adults ate a low-calorie diet almost exclusively of oatmeal for two days.
All participants suffered from metabolic syndrome associated with a risk of diabetes, including a combination of high body weight, high blood pressure, high blood sugar or high blood lipid levels, according to a university news release.
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The 32 participants ate oatmeal, previously boiled in water, three times a day for a total of 300 grams. They were only allowed to add fruit or vegetables to their meals and consumed about half their normal caloric intake.
A control group was put on a low-calorie diet that did not include oats. Although both groups benefited, the cholesterol levels of those on the oat diet “improved significantly.” After six weeks, this effect “remained stable.”
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A new study found that eating oats for two days lowers bad cholesterol. (iStock)
Study author Marie-Christine Simon, junior professor at the Institute of Nutrition and Food Sciences at the University of Bonn, shared in a statement that the level of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, among the group consuming oatmeal was reduced by 10 percent.
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“This is a substantial reduction, although not completely comparable to the effect of modern drugs,” Simon said. “They also lost two pounds on average, and their blood pressure dropped slightly.”
The authors concluded that the diet influenced the microorganisms in the gut, leading to the positive reaction. The results were published in the journal Nature Communications.
Oats significantly reduced cholesterol levels, although not as much as modern medicine.
Simon concluded that a short-term oat-based diet at regular intervals “could be a well-tolerated way to keep cholesterol within normal limits and prevent diabetes.”
“As a next step, it can now be clarified whether an intensive oat diet, repeated every six weeks, actually has a permanent preventive effect,” she said.
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Certified holistic nutritionist Robin DeCicco, who was not involved in the study, said the findings “make sense” because oats are known to lower LDL cholesterol.
Oats contain prebiotic fibers that feed beneficial gut bacteria. When those bacteria ferment the fiber, they produce compounds that support digestive health, according to the expert.
“The more beneficial gut bacteria you have in your stomach, in your environment, the more they can reduce or inhibit the production of bad LDL cholesterol,” New York-based DeCicco told Fox News Digital.
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Oats are also whole grains that are naturally low in saturated fat and high in fiber and provide a good amount of plant-based protein.
“All of these things are good for a heart-healthy, cholesterol-lowering diet,” DeCicco noted.
Oats are a whole grain that is naturally low in saturated fat and high in fiber and provides a good amount of plant-based protein, all of which are good for heart health.
DeCicco cautioned that those who are diabetic or prediabetic should “be careful” when eating oats.
“While oats can lower cholesterol, they are a high-carbohydrate food,” she said. “A recommendation for anyone watching their blood sugar, and especially for those with diabetes, is to eat foods that are low in starch and higher in protein and fiber, [and to get] their carbohydrates more from vegetables and nuts”.
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Megan Wroe, registered dietitian at the Wellness Center at Providence St. Jude Medical Center in Orange County, California, agreed that eating oats “appears to lower cholesterol levels for all populations studied, with the greatest impact seen in those with high levels.”
“There are no significant risks, but some people may experience cramping or indigestion if they haven’t been eating a lot of fiber before and suddenly start eating oats every day,” Wroe, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. “Also, those who require a gluten-free diet will want to make sure the oats they eat are certified gluten-free.”
The nutritionist also shared concerns that oatmeal is commonly prepared with water or milk and eaten with added sugar and fruit, making it a “potentially very high glycemic meal.”
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“Knowing this, my recommendation is to eat oats whenever you want, choosing steel-cut or rolled oats, using fruit for sweetness or a low-glycemic sweetener if needed, such as monk fruit,” she advised.
Wroe also suggests finding a way to add protein to balance out the carbs.
“This can be done by adding chia or flax seeds to oats, mixing with protein powder, or topping with Greek yogurt to serve,” she said.
Source of the original article: Eating oatmeal for two days has unexpected impact on heart health, study suggests