Dr. Berg’s Healthy Keto and Intermittent Fasting Podcast

Might Want to Think Twice Before Eating Oatmeal

Sep 12, 2023

07:17

Snipd AI

The podcast discusses the negative impact of flavored oatmeal due to high sugar content. Unsweetened oatmeal may show improvement in blood sugar and cholesterol levels, but the studies have limitations. Oats contain avenin, a type of gluten that increases cytokines. Oat products are often treated with carcinogenic glyphosate. Intermittent fasting and choosing eggs for breakfast are suggested as healthier alternatives to oatmeal.

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Quick takeaways

Oatmeal may result in lower spikes in blood sugars and improved cholesterol levels compared to white bread, but the long-term effects are unclear.

Oats contain a protein called avenin which can trigger an inflammatory response in some individuals, potentially worsening symptoms for those with irritable bowel syndrome, inflammation, or celiac disease.

Deep dives

Comparative studies on blood sugars and cholesterol

Multiple studies compared oatmeal to white bread and found that oatmeal resulted in lower spikes in blood sugars and improved cholesterol levels. However, these improvements were only in comparison to white bread and occurred immediately after consumption. The long-term effects on blood sugars and cholesterol are unclear. Additionally, the benefits were attributed to a compound called beta glucan, which is found in oats, but it is uncertain if consuming oats as a whole grain provides the same effect.

Unveiling Unknown Facts About Oatmeal

5min

The Dangers of Consuming Oats and the Potential Health Benefits of Intermittent Fasting

2min

Is oatmeal bad for you? Let’s talk about it.

The small packets of flavored oatmeal contain a lot of sugar, and even though they may be marketed as healthy—they’re not.

But what about unsweetened oatmeal?

Here are three things you might not know about unsweetened oatmeal:

1. Certain studies show a significant improvement in blood sugar and cholesterol. However, the control in one of these studies is white bread. The study also only showed an improvement in blood sugar right after the meal.

Part of the study referring to cholesterol was only on consuming beta-glucan, which is an isolated compound in oatmeal. In a different study, the participants all had diabetes, and they didn’t see a change in their blood glucose levels.

2. Oats contain a type of gluten called avenin. This protein has been known to increase cytokines.

3. Oat products have often been treated with glyphosate. The World Health Organization classifies glyphosate as a carcinogen.

It may be beneficial to skip breakfast altogether and give intermittent fasting a try. If you do consume breakfast, eggs would be a healthier choice than oatmeal.

DATA:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21843037/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3524229/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21294744/

https://www.ewg.org