Oatmeal And Weight Loss: Benefits, Side Effects, And More

Medically reviewed by Maria Sarino, MD FACT CHECKED

Consuming oatmeal has many benefits including managing weight loss and lowering cholesterol. In fact, because of its low caloric content, dietitians have created special oatmeal diets as well.

Oatmeal is a complex carb. Complex carbohydrates have a high fiber content, which causes them to digest more slowly in the body. This helps to maintain stable blood sugar levels. 

These are good sources of both fiber and carbohydrates. Compared to other grains, oatmeal has the highest protein content. 

It also contains a wealth of vitamins and minerals, including thiamin, folate, manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and zinc. How you cook and serve your oatmeal will affect how many calories it contains. 

In this article, we will be looking at all about oatmeal for weight loss.

To improve texture and shorten cooking time, oat grains are milled, steel-cut, or rolled to create oatmeal which is a porridge.

It is rich in vitamins, and vital minerals like phosphorus, iron, and folate, as well as soluble and insoluble fiber. Foods throughout the world have long included oats as an ingredient.

It is frequently used as animal feed. Oats are regarded as healthy food and may decrease cholesterol. They are an excellent source of protein as well.

Benefits Of Oatmeal For Weight Loss

  • Full Of Antioxidants

    Antioxidants and polyphenols, which are useful plant compounds, are widely present in oatmeals. One of the most notable antioxidants that are only found in oats. 

    Avenanthramides increase the production of nitric oxide, which reduces the risk of heart disease. The aid of the gas molecule in enlarging blood arteries increases blood flow.

    Avenanthramides have anti-inflammatory and anti-itching properties. Additionally ferulic acid is present in oatmeals. It is a different type of antioxidant.

  • May Make You Feel Fuller

    Eating oatmeal gives you a feeling of being full as it is considered a filling breakfast option. Because of this, you tend to eat fewer calories which helps to lose weight faster. Oat flour is also one of the better flours for weight loss and it may enhance your diet with help of Beta-glucan.

    Beta-glucan is present in oatmeal, it will keep you feeling fuller for a longer time. The hormone peptide YY (PYY), which is produced in the gut in reaction to ingested food, may also be stimulated by beta-glucan. 

    This satiety hormone may minimize your risk of obesity and is very beneficial for lowering calorie consumption.

  • May Help With Diabetes

    People with type 2 diabetes should eat oatmeal. It lowers the body’s elevated blood sugar levels. In the stomach, its soluble fiber beta-glucan congeals into a thick gel, delaying the absorption of glucose after meals. 

    Additionally, this whole grain has a low glycemic load and low glycemic index, which reduces insulin resistance and maintains blood glucose levels.

  • May Enhance Digestive System

    Oatmeals are good for our digestive system. Oatmeal extends the time that food stays in our bodies. This happens because of the soluble fiber present in it. 

    This helps to cure and prevent constipation and maintain regularity of the digestion process as well. It helps to lose more weight and even water weight from the body. 

    Additionally, they contain a lot of insoluble fiber, which thickens and adds weight to the stool to assist regulate bowel movements and ease constipation. Oats not only relieve constipation but also aid in the prevention of colon cancer.

Side Effects Of Oatmeal

  • May Cause Bloating And Gas

    Gas and bloating can be painful, and uncomfortable. These digestive issues can occasionally be brought on by the fiber in oatmeal. When oat fiber reaches the lower intestine of the body, it sometimes cannot be digested. 

    Naturally existing microorganisms in that location break it down. Carbon dioxide and hydrogen are created as a result. In addition, methane will be created. These gasses will accumulate and may result in bloating and discomfort.

  • May Contain Gluten

    Oats naturally lack gluten. Cross-contamination with wheat or equipment during processing, however, is conceivable in the fields where oats are produced.

    For those who cannot tolerate gluten, this can be dangerous because it might result in unfavorable side effects like headaches, diarrhea, and stomach pain. Additionally, it can have serious consequences for people with celiac disease, gluten ataxia, and other conditions related to gluten.

  • May Trigger Allergies

    Someone might get an allergic reaction by eating oatmeal which they might know of. Oatmeal should be avoided by anyone with an oat allergy or intolerance. 

    Additionally, people should first check if they are allergic to oats and then consume them.

  • May Improve Carb Content

    Oats include a lot of carbohydrates, which the body finds difficult to digest and which might have negative effects including upset stomachs, among others.

    If your blood sugar is a problem for you, oatmeal may potentially be harmful to you. This is because it includes maltose, a sugar with a high glycemic index of 105.

Is Oatmeal Good For Weight Loss?

Oatmeal is known to help in the weight loss process as it has a lot of benefits. A regulated blood sugar level may result from improved insulin sensitivity brought on by oatmeal. 

A considerable reduction in body fat percentage and weight loss are both aided by improved insulin sensitivity. The oatmeal diet is restrictive, and for many people, eating the same thing every day can be upsetting. 

This must be kept in mind. People with medical issues should speak with their doctor and they should also check for any allergies. 

People need to understand that there are no short methods to lose weight. Most significantly, a healthy lifestyle includes a balanced diet, an active way of life, and regular exercise.

Conclusion

Oatmeal could aid in weight loss if you include them in your diet. It can be eaten most easily as part of a balanced breakfast. By helping you feel fuller for longer, oatmeal may enable you to consume fewer calories and lose weight.

Oats may help prevent diabetes and reduce your risk of developing heart disease, among other additional health advantages. In conclusion, oatmeal is one of the best options for healthy food for weight loss. 

However, you must eat it properly to avoid gaining weight. Oatmeal will not only help you feel filled for longer, but it will also provide the necessary nutritional benefits for optimum health.

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