Nutrition expert explains
Are oats really unhealthy?
Oats are considered a local superfood.
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Oatmeal has long been considered the ultimate superfood. There is now criticism of porridge, oat milk and the like on TikTok. What’s the truth?
Oatmeal has long been known as a real all-rounder in nutrition: it contains lots of fiber, little sugar and little fat. They are also versatile. But on the platform TikTok has been warning numerous influencers about oatmeal and oat milk for some time. They have no nutritional value or even lead to a blood sugar spike. What’s the deal with the “oat conspiracy”?
“Oats are a food rich in carbohydrates, but that doesn’t automatically make them unhealthy,” explains nutrition expert Martin Auerswald in an interview with the news agency spot on news. “We should look at foods as a whole and not reduce them to their carbohydrate or fat content.” According to Auerswald, oats are “significantly more advisable than the ubiquitous wheat” in terms of nutritional content, health benefits and digestibility.
Do oats raise blood sugar?
According to the author of “Healthy with Oats” (from March 18th from Kosmos Verlag), there is also little truth to the rumor about a blood sugar spike caused by oats: “Due to their protein and fiber content, oats cause blood sugar to rise less than White bread, rice or sweets.” However, he warns that even a healthy food like oats is tolerated differently: “Anyone who is very overweight, already has type 2 diabetes or a form of insulin resistance or does little exercise in everyday life will experience a greater increase in blood sugar and is more likely to gain weight than someone else , who moves around a lot.”
And what about the carbohydrates?
According to Auerswald, the relatively high carbohydrate content is not a problem. Carbohydrates can be fattening, but what matters is what the diet looks like overall and what the carbohydrates are like. “Sugared cornflakes and white bread are different than Bircher muesli with fresh fruit and oat flakes,” says Auerswald. “Also: If you move around a lot, you don’t have to be afraid of ‘bad carbohydrates’.”
For Martin Auerswald, oats are a local superfood and “more than just muesli”. “It is an original grain and less bred or modified than wheat,” says the book author. Its high proportion of vegetable proteins and fiber promote metabolism and healthy intestinal flora. “It is also digestible and rich in micronutrients such as B vitamins, magnesium and vitamin E.”
“Due to its high proportion of beta-glucan, oats can also lower cholesterol levels and have a positive effect on the immune system,” explains Auerswald. “If it’s not overly processed or roasted, it contains antioxidants that can reduce the effects of stress and chronic inflammation on the body.”
In his book “Healthy with Oats,” Martin Auerswald shares detailed information about the nutrients of oats as well as the grain’s health benefits and numerous recipes.