Oats: Its Biologically Active Compounds as Functional Food Source

Abstract

Oats are known to be a healthy food for the heart mainly due to their high β-glucan content. Besides, they contain more than 20 unique polyphenols, avenanthramides, which have shown strong antioxidant activity in vitro and in vivo. The polyphenols of oats have also recently been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, and anti-itching activity, which may provide additional protection against coronary heart disease, colon cancer, and skin irritation. Oats have been labelled as a functional food as they contain β-glucan, minerals, and antioxidants. Owing to their high nutritional value, oat-based food products like bread, biscuits, cookies, probiotic drinks, breakfast cereals, flakes, and infant food are gaining increasing consideration.

Effects of component ratios on the properties of sweet potato–oat composite dough and the quality of its steamed cake

“…These are the problems that need to be overcome in products with sweet potatoes as the main additive (Mahmudatussa'adah., et al., 2023). Mixing oat flour with sweet potato puree to make sweet potato–oat cakes not only has a positive complementary effect on nutritional composition and dough quality but also uses starch in sweet potatoes as the main source of carbohydrates, which helps reduce the incidence of celiac disease or other allergic reactions (Bhatt & Pandey, 2021; Yadav et al., 2014). In addition, sweet potatoes are rich in oligosaccharides and dietary fiber, making them a potentially beneficial functional food for individuals with diabetes (Ankush et al., 2021).…”

“…Oats, also referred to as hulled barley or sparrow barley, are typically classified into husked and naked varieties. In China, the main cultivars are the naked oats, which contain the highest concentration of protein, unsaturated fatty acids, minerals, essential amino acids, and other bioactive compounds among all cereal grains, leading to their recognition as a “complete nutritional food.” Oats have been shown to have beneficial effects in regulating blood sugar and lipids, enhancing immunity, and inhibiting lipid oxidation (Bhatt & Pandey, 2021). As people's living standards continue to rise, dietary nutrition has become a popular topic of interest.…”