Eating nothing but oatmeal for just two days might sound extreme, but it delivered a striking payoff in a new clinical trial. People with metabolic syndrome who followed a short, calorie-reduced oat-based plan saw their harmful LDL cholesterol drop by 10%, along with modest weight loss and lower blood pressure. Even more surprising, the cholesterol benefits were still visible six weeks later.
  • ObscureOtter@piefed.caEnglish
    11·
    1 day ago

    300 Grams of Oatmeal Per Day

    During the intensive phase, participants ate boiled oatmeal three times daily and could only add small amounts of fruit or vegetables. In total, 32 women and men completed the two day oat based intervention. Each person consumed 300 grams of oatmeal per day and cut their usual calorie intake roughly in half. The control group also reduced calories but did not consume oats.

    And…

    Short Intensive Plan Outperformed Longer Moderate Intake

    The cholesterol lowering effects were still visible six weeks after the two day intervention. “A short-term oat-based diet at regular intervals could be a well-tolerated way to keep the cholesterol level within the normal range and prevent diabetes,” says Junior Professor Simon.

    However, the benefits were strongest when oats were consumed in high amounts alongside calorie restriction. In a separate six week phase, participants ate 80 grams of oatmeal per day without additional dietary limits. That approach produced only modest changes. “As a next step, it can now be clarified whether an intensive oat-based diet repeated every six weeks actually has a permanently preventative effect,” Simon adds.