Plant-based milk like soya milk, coconut milk, rice milk, and almond milk has been consumed by people worldwide for centuries. However, oat milk has emerged as a rising star for alternative plant-based, vegan options in recent years.
This oat drink is cheaper than store-bought dairy products and can even be made at home. It consists of steel-cut pre-soaked oat groats, blended and then strained with a special cloth.
While the leftover pulp contains a large portion of protein and dietary fiber, the nutritionists say that one cup of oat milk is fortified with vitamin B12, calcium, iron, vitamins A and D, riboflavin, and it contains fewer calories and lower levels of nutrients.
Hence, oat milk is an excellent beverage for people with specific food intolerances, allergies, and health conditions like high cholesterol. Yes! You read it right. It helps lower blood cholesterol levels, especially LDL cholesterol, which is associated with heart disease. Continue reading and find out how oat milk helps in cholesterol.
Oat milk and high cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy substance utilized to make hormones and cells in the body. There are two different kinds of cholesterol found in the human body: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). When the cholesterol level gets high to a certain point, it increases the risk of heart attacks and stroke.
If you are a high cholesterol patient, you need to change your lifestyle (smoking cessation and weight loss) and reduce saturated fat intake (found in whole milk, cream, butter, lard, fatty meats, tropical oils).
Medically, it is proven that decreasing the intake of total dietary fat (trans fat and saturated fat) is very effective at reducing blood cholesterol. But remember, while keeping your fat intake low, you need to meet your body’s nutrient requirements.
For this reason, oat milk is highly recommended for people with high cholesterol. It contains beta-glucans which form a gel-like substance in your gut and interact with bile salts, thus reducing cholesterol absorption in your body.
Furthermore, studies revealed that oat milk offers a more consistent reduction in cholesterol than semi-solid or solid oats products. If you consume 3 cups of this super oat drink for five weeks consistently, you can reduce your total blood cholesterol by 3 percent.
Indeed how beneficial it will be for your health depends on the brand and variety you choose. Hence it is crucial to check the label before you make your purchase. Make sure it contains no artificial sweeteners and is as nutritious as possible.
Benefits of Oat Drink
Replaces saturated fats with unsaturated fats
It is a super vegan milk product with zero saturated fats. It offers a minimum of 2.5g of fat in each serving, making it a very low-calorie beverage and an ideal choice for those watching what they eat for weight loss and dietary requirements.
Regulates cholesterol and blood sugar levels
It has been already discussed above that oat drinks are highly beneficial for people with high cholesterol. Besides this, it also helps regulate blood sugar levels. It is an excellent choice for type 2 diabetic patients.
High in fiber and vitamins
It offers twice the dietary fiber than cow’s milk. Primarily, it contains beta-glucan, a soluble fiber that helps prevent infection and improves the body’s ability to heal when consumed regularly. Furthermore, it contains vitamins A, D, B that support the breakdown of carbohydrates and the normal functioning of red blood cells.
Bone strengthening minerals
It is rich in minerals like magnesium, potassium, zinc, and micronutrients that help strengthen and form healthy bones.
