Scientists at the University of Bonn reported that eating oats for two days helps lower cholesterol levels and supports metabolism, and this effect lasts for several weeks.
According to the journal Nature Communications, the study included 68 people with metabolic syndrome, a combination of overweight, high blood pressure, and abnormal blood sugar and lipid levels. For two days, participants consumed oatmeal almost exclusively, resulting in a 10% decrease in their LDL cholesterol levels, an average weight loss of about 2 kilograms, and a reduction in their blood pressure. These effects lasted for up to six weeks.
Experts attribute these results to the fact that oats stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, which produce substances that influence cholesterol metabolism. Ferulic acid also regulates lipid levels, while the breakdown products of the amino acid histidine reduce the risk of insulin resistance, a major cause of diabetes.
The study participants consumed 300 grams of cooked oatmeal with a small amount of fruit or vegetables three times a day. The control group followed a low-calorie diet but without oatmeal, and the improvements they experienced were less pronounced. In contrast, the longer, lighter diet, which included 80 grams of oatmeal daily, had no significant effect on cholesterol levels.
To prevent bias in evaluating the results, the sampling of biological materials (blood and stool) and physiological measurements (blood pressure and weight) were carried out in a blind manner, so that the scientists did not know whether the samples belonged to participants in the experimental or control group.
The researchers conducted five assessments: one before the dietary change, one two days after starting the oatmeal diet, and three more at two, four, and six weeks. At each assessment, the team recorded key health indicators such as blood pressure, weight, height, waist circumference, and body fat percentage, in addition to collecting blood and stool samples. A similar protocol was used in the second study, in which participants consumed 80 grams of oatmeal daily for six weeks.
Researchers indicate that following an oatmeal-based diet for a short period can alter the microbiome and metabolism, contributing to lowering high cholesterol and supporting cardiovascular health.
