Oatmeal – good or bad: how morning porridge affects the heart, experts found out

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Oatmeal is considered a good idea for those who want to lose weight. However, not everyone knows what effect this porridge has on the heart.

Cholesterol level in the blood

“Eating oatmeal is an excellent way to support a healthy heart thanks to the content in of soluble fiber,” says nutritionist Amy Hudson. “Soluble fiber can help lower total and “bad” LDL cholesterol, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Adding toppings to oatmeal, such as berries, chopped almonds, and/or seeds, is also helpful.” 

Risk of heart disease

Experts recommend eating unflavored oatmeal, which is often sold in bags. It is noted that such porridge contains a large amount of sugar. This, in turn, can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

Blood sugar

< strong>Blood pressure

In addition to soluble fiber, oatmeal itself also contains magnesium and potassium, two heart-healthy minerals. According to Harvard Health, magnesium deficiency has been linked to cardiovascular disease, as well as high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems (such as atrial fibrillation), high cholesterol, cardiac arrest, and more. In addition, potassium is good for fighting high blood pressure (hypertension), which is often caused by high sodium levels in the body.