· Oats or Avena Sativa grew wild in parts of Asia amongst wheat and barley crops as early as 2000 BC.
· Today, around 13 species of oats are recognised worldwide and each of them has several sub varieties. There are Large Naked Oat, Small Naked Oat, Wild Red Oat, Red Oat, Desert Oat, Slender Oat, Sand Oat, Abyssinian Oat, Wild Oat, Common Oat (Tree Oat) and Side Oats. Not all varieties are suitable for human consumption, many are used as livestock feed. Oats are also used to brew beer.
· History has it that oat bread was first manufactured in England with the first oat bread factory being established in 1899.
· Samuel Johnson once wrote that oats were "eaten by people in Scotland, but fit only for horses in England." The Scottish retort to this was, "That's why England has such good horses, and Scotland has such fine men!"
· The groat or inner oat kernel is rolled into flakes and used as oatmeal in breakfast cereals. Oat flour has an antioxidant which delays rancidity and preserves food quality.
· Oat bran or the outer casing of oat has LDL or bad cholesterol reducing properties.
· Oat contains more soluble fibre than any other grain hence it gives you slow release energy and keeps you feeling full for longer. Beta glucan helps reduce bad cholesterol.
· Oat also has a protein called Avenalin which is the highest amongst all cereals. This protein is equivalent to soy, meat, milk and egg protein.
· Oats grown and processed by themselves (away from wheat) are gluten free.
· Oat flakes also called rolled oats vary in thickness based on the size of groat passed through filters. Typically you get regular, medium and thick rolled oats.
· Oats also have anti-inflammatory properties and as clinically proven, help heal dry, scaly skin. Oats are also hypoallergenic. Amongst cereals, they have the best amino acid balance and thus act as water-binding agents in skin care products.
· Oats stimulate libido in both sexes. They contain carbohydrates which are a source of energy, zinc, proteins and minerals needed to produce healthy seminal fluids. An oaty breakfast will ensure a naughty bedtime!
