Oats and Obesity

According to the WHO, obesity or overweight is one of the leading health risk factors that account for 2.8 million of global mortality [134]. It further increases the risk of other non-communicable health complications like CVD, musculoskeletal disorders, diabetes, and cancers [135]. Studies show that the intake of dietary fiber and whole grain mediate for body weight loss, and this would be a new avenue toward combating current obesity trends. The consumption of oat products with high OBG gives a perception of satiety and stomach distention, which reduces hunger [47,52]. Because of the viscous and hydration property of OBG, it delays gastric emptying, which inhibits the food intake, thereby reducing the overall body weight, body fat, body mass index (BMI), and central adiposity [47,48,136]. In addition, OBG also activates the gut hypothalamic axis, which increases satiety [12,49].

Studies on animal models show the effects of oats in the modulation of gut microbiota and its subsequent effect on reducing obesity. An oat-supplemented diet on rats decreased the body weight, epididymal fat accumulation, serum glucose, and serum lipid levels, and improved the composition of beneficial gut microbes, thus reducing metabolic-related disorders [51].

Foods. 2021 Oct 26;10(11):2591. doi: 10.3390/foods10112591

A Review of Health-Beneficial Properties of Oats

Devendra Paudel 1, Bandana Dhungana 2, Melanie Caffe 2, Padmanaban Krishnan 1,*

Editor: Oliver Chen