Heart Friendly Oats

Over the past few decades oats have become a very popular “health food ”. Oats are loaded in dietary fiber (containing more than any other grain) and have a range of healthy cholesterol-lowering properties. Recent studies also have shown that oatmeal has some heart healthy benefits. This is mainly due to the rich source of water-soluble dietary fibers, particularly beta glucan, that are found in oatmeal. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration claims that oats, as part of an overall heart healthy diet, could lower the risk of heart disease. The potential health benefits of oats include: reducing the risk of coronary artery disease and lowering levels of cholesterol.