Feeling backed up and uncomfortable? Your pantry staple, oats, might just be the gentle hero your digestive system needs. Packed with fibre and other gut-loving nutrients, oats can help ease constipation naturally and effectively.
The Cleveland Clinic defines constipation as fewer than three bowel movements per week, but the frequency varies among individuals. “Key features that usually define constipation include your stools being dry and hard, your bowel movements being painful, and your stools being difficult to pass and you having a feeling that you haven’t fully emptied your bowels.”
Whether you whip up a warm bowl of oatmeal or sneak them into smoothies, this humble grain works wonders to get things moving again. Let’s uncover how oats support your digestive health and why they deserve a permanent spot in your diet.
According to HealthShots, oats can help manage constipation, a condition where stools are hard and dry. it is stated that consuming whole-grain foods like oatmeal can improve stool consistency and frequency. Oats is said to help in digestion, promote bowel movements and act as a prebiotic, feeding gut bacteria. “It also helps in managing conditions like irritable bowel syndrome or IBS, which causes pain in the abdomen, bloating, and discomfort.”
Oat bran, a fibre-rich grain, may relieve constipation and aid digestion in ulcerative colitis patients, claims Healthline. However, the publication also mentions that the soluble fibre in oats is less effective against opioid-induced constipation due to suppressed colon movement.
Healthnews informs us that it’s important to note that oatmeal alone may not fully resolve constipation for everyone. It is stated that a well-balanced diet, including leafy greens, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, legumes, and fruits, is essential for achieving dietary guidelines. Consuming oatmeal at every meal ensures adequate fibre intake throughout the day.
Also see: Breakfast in a jar: Overnight oats and chia pudding
