Heart disease is the leading cause of death in most developed countries, and elevated cholesterol levels leading risk factor. Any reduction of the total serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (or “bad” cholesterol) reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Changing your diet is the first line of defense.
Recommendations for proper nutrition emphasize the importance of consuming grains, whole grains, which are associated with a reduced risk of developing chronic diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and diabetes type 2. It is assumed that the favorable effects of the consumption of whole grains on health people numerous and largely based on the action of dietary fiber.
Although the typical diet of Europeans means cheaper grains such as wheat, rice and corn, experts point out the favorable impact of oats, cereal, which was once very popular in human nutrition, but whose production is significantly reduced in recent decades. Oats cereal is especially rich in soluble and insoluble fiber, lipids, proteins, vitamins and minerals.
The results of numerous studies have shown that administration of teeth contains significant amounts of beta-glucan soluble dietary fiber which is attributed to favorable health effects. Consuming three or more grams of beta-glucan per day leads to a decrease in the value of serum fat – LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol. The recommended intake of beta-glucan can provide a different preparation of oats and products containing it: oat flakes and chopped oatmeal, oat bran and products containing different forms of oats such as cereals, muesli, porridge, cereal plates and others. The soluble beta-glucan in contact with water gives a viscous solution that causes a feeling of satiety.
The European Commission has approved the use of health claims that beta-glucans contribute to the maintenance of normal cholesterol levels and food containing at least a gram of beta-glucan from oats – oat bran, barley, rye bran or a mixture thereof in one portion. With it goes and notice to consumers that the favorable health effects of exercise daily intake of only three grams of beta-glucan, as well as to contribute to the reduction of risk factors for the development of coronary heart disease if they met the conditions described above.
Increasing cultivation of oats, application of new technologies that preserve nutritional properties, transformation of raw grain into tasty food products preserved health values, as well as communication with consumers via health claims on product labels, can have a powerful effect on increasing consumption of these important crops.