Oat saponins have been found to significantly affect growth, feed intake and reproduction in animals. These structurally diverse compounds have also been observed to kill protozones and mollocks. They can cause hypoglycemia, which is not a good thing because glucose is a nutrient. The majority of the research suggests that these compounds are not beneficial for humans.
Have you been led to believe that oatmeal is good for you? This podcast is for you! Paul does a deep dive on why you may want to cut oats (and chocolate, and leafy greens) out for good for reasons like heavy metal accumulation, antinutrients, and defense chemicals.
00:07:30 The problem with grains
00:11:45 Heavy metals in oats, greens, chocolate and fish
00:20:00 How saponins damage the gut
00:31:30 Cadmium and heavy metals in oats, vegetables and chocolate
Effects of saponins and glycoalkaloids on the permeability and viability of mammalian intestinal cells and on the integrity of tissue preparations in vitro: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20650190/