Bake with Yen – 5 Reasons Why Eating Oats Can Keep You Healthy

Asians love their grains, and among the healthiest of these are oats.

Oats, or Avena sativa, are gluten-free whole grain foods that are well-balanced in terms of nutritional composition. They are popular diet staples which are often eaten as porridge, enjoyed with fruits, or mixed in baked goods such as muffins and granola bars.

Oats come in several different varieties, the most common of which are rolled oats.

According to several researches, oats bring about a plethora of health benefits to its consumers. Read on to learn more about its amazing properties and how it could help you start living a healthy life.

1. Oats help in controlling weight.

Compared to other grains, oats contain more protein and healthy fat. Other than this, oatmeal contains a soluble fibre called beta-glucan which increases cholecystokinin, the hormone responsible in fighting our hunger pangs. Research says that eating oatmeal can make our stomachs feel quickly full and decrease our longing for food for the next 4 hours.

2. Oats aid in digestion.

Aside from being an effective agent in reducing our appetite, beta-glucan found in oatmeal also forms a gel-like solution that coats the stomach and the digestive tract. This coating promotes the growth of good bacteria, which contributes in maintaining a strong gut.

3. Oats reduce the risk of diabetes.

Without adding sugar, oats can also help in managing our blood sugar levels. A study from the Journal of Clinical Nutrition stated that a diet that produces low glycemic response, such as eating oatmeal, can be linked to less insulin resistance and a reduced risk of the metabolic syndrome (Syndrome X).

4. Oats can lower our blood pressure.

Oats are rich in plant-based phytochemicals named as polyphenols which contain avenanthramides. Avenanthramides are known to increase the production of nitric acid, which can significantly improve our blood flow and lower our blood pressure. In a country full of hypertension-inducing food, oats could potentially save our lives.

5. Oats can clear our skin.

Avenanthramides, being antioxidants, also have the ability to improve our skin’s condition. These alkaloids have anti-inflammatory properties, which reduces itching and heals common skin problems such as acne and eczema.

There are truly a lot of benefits we can gain from eating oats. While others may find it bland, you may always include them in delicious treats, such as the timeless oatmeal cookies.

OATMEAL COOKIES BAKING RECIPE

Ingredients (makes 36 cookies):

• 3 ½ cups rolled oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 strip vanilla bean
• 1 ½ cup raisins

How to Make:

1. Set two racks in the oven and preheat at 180°C
2. Spread the rolled oats in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring hallway through. Set aside until cool.
3. Transfer 1/2 cup of the toasted oats to a food processor and mix until the oats are finely ground.
4. Put the ground oats, all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and the remaining 3 cups of whole oats in a bowl and whisk to combine.
5. In a separate bowl, place the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes with a stand mixer or electric hand mixer until fluffy.
6. Add in the first egg and beat thoroughly, and repeat the same to the second egg. Add the vanilla extract and beat again, making sure no oats are left at the sides.
7. Set the mixer on low speed, then slowly add the flour mixture and beat until all of it has been poured.
8. Remove the bowl from the mixer. Add the raisins and mix into the dough with a rubber spatula until evenly distributed throughout.
9. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop tablespoons of the dough and drop onto the baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart, 12 per baking sheet.
10. Bake for 8 to 9 minutes for soft and chewy cookies, or 11 to 12 minutes to make them crispy. Halfway through baking, rotate the sheets between racks and from front to back.
11. Place the baking sheets on wire racks and cool 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely, and voila!

Now, there’s no excuse to not taking oats! Try eating it daily and you will see its incredible effects to your body in no time!

For your premium source of the freshest and high-quality oats, choose only Bake with Yen!

Bake with Yen is one of the largest provider of superior quality baking supplies and confectionery ingredients in Singapore and Malaysia. Established in 1987, we have been consistently trusted by our customers in delivering total bakery solutions to enhance their businesses

Bake with Yen offers Rolled Oats and Quick Cooking Oats at a low price of only $1.60! Order your oats today from our physical store:

Joo Chiat Branch
34 Joo Chiat Road, 427364 Singapore
6242 8017
Monday – Sunday, 9am – 6pm
(Closed on Public Holidays)

Tampines Branch
5 Tampines Street 32, #01-11/12, Singapore 529284
6904 8670
Monday – Sunday, 9am – 6pm
(Closed on Public Holidays)