Oats contain a fiber called betaglucan, which, unlike other cereals, is soluble. This fiber is what has earned it the recognition of functional food. Consume 3 g daily of it (or 75 g of flakes or 40 g of bran), lowers cholesterol in a few weeks. It also benefits non-insulin-dependent diabetics by helping to stabilize blood sugar: taking it at breakfast, for example, helps to keep this level more stable. And in severe obesity can reduce hypertension. It also exerts a prebiotic effect.
It contains other beneficial substances, such as lecithin, or phytosterols such as avenasterol or betasitosterol, with proven effects in the control of plasma cholesterol and LDL or "bad". They protect against some types of cancer, such as colon, breast or prostate cancer, and coronary heart disease. In addition, oats stimulates the thyroid gland, which participates in the metabolism of fats.
The avenacosides are other substances that have led to a flourishing business. These are anabolic steroids and are chemical variants of the hormone testosterone. To consolidate the muscles achieved with training, athletes require a certain amount of testosterone circulating through the blood. The effort causes it to decrease, but the avenacosides help to recover it.
