Recent Studies Confirm: Oatmeal Lowers Cholesterol, and More

A review of data from studies conducted in the last 15 years strengthens the evidence that oatmeal consumption indeed lowers total cholesterol levels. This, 10 years after the FDA initially approved the health claim’s appearance on food labels in 1997.

In addition, recent studies also discovered more health benefits beyond just total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol reduction.

Recent studies suggest eating oatmeal may:

* Reduce the risk for elevated blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and weight gain
* Reduce LDL cholesterol during weight-loss
* Provide favorable changes in the physical characteristics of LDL cholesterol particles, making them less susceptible to oxidation (oxidation is thought to lead to hardening of the arteries.)
* Supply unique compounds that may lead to reducing early hardening of the arteries

The review article is published in the January/February 2008 issue of the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.

With the wide range of oatmeal products out there, it shouldn’t be so difficult to incorporate oatmeal into your daily meals, You can have oat cereal for breakfast, or munch on snack bars and cookies, or even oat-enriched tortilla chips!