Over the centuries, oats were generally regarded to be fit only for animal feed. However, the popularity of oat as a part of the human diet has increased because of reports describing the beneficial nutritional properties of oat Beta-glucan.
Oats are a temperate crop and compared with other cereals grow well in damp, marginal upland areas.
The oils in oats cause them to become rancid, so they must be processed more quickly than other grains.
Today, the primary use of oats is as animal feed. Still, with the pressure of advertising, we are all aware of the nutritional value of oats in our diet.
Oats have a higher level of soluble fiber than all other grains. Oat fiber is of particular interest because the soluble fiber fraction is the main cholesterol lowering component in oats.
The dietary fiber Beta-glucan is credited with imparting several nutritional benefits, including satiety, aiding in blood glucose metabolism, reducing serum cholesterol, and improving gastrointestinal health.
Oat groats are the whole seed with only the outer hull removed. Rolled oats are the familiar breakfast form. Steel cut oats are oats seed that have been chopped into pieces. Quick Oats are rolled steel cut oats, and instant oats are pre-cooked, dried and flattened steel cut oats.
Oats in general
