Oat Intolerance and Oat Intolerance Symptoms
Do You Have An Oat Intolerance?
Oats are the edible seeds of a grass called Avena sativa. The husk of each seed
is inedible and removed during processing. Oats are a good source of fibre; unlike
sugars or starches fibre cannot be digested by the human body. Oats contain both
soluble and insoluble fibre. Both types are associated with different beneficial
effects on the body. The soluble fibre in oats contains beta-glucan, which is
the main component responsible for the cholesterol-lowering effects of oats and
oat products; whole oats, oat bran and oatmeal have been associated with a reduced
risk of heart disease. Oats also contain phytochemicals which may also be associated
with health benefits within the body.
Oats may be eaten cooked or uncooked. They may also be used in brewing beer and
are incorporated into various food products, either in standard recipes (e.g.,
oatmeal cookies) or as added, often hidden, ingredients. Oats may also be used
for non-consumable purposes such as skincare products made from oat extract (e.g.,
cosmetics, soaps).
The main source of oats in the UK diet is breakfast cereals such as porridge
and muesli. They are often added in to baked goods such as biscuits, cereal bars
and flapjacks and can also be used to make a non dairy milk substitute. In common
with other cereals, oats are composed mainly of carbohydrate but compared to other
cereals they contain higher levels of both protein and fat.
Some people with Coeliac disease find they cannot eat oats. Oats contain a protein
that is similar to gluten, but not exactly the same. It's also possible for small
amounts of other cereals, such as wheat, to get into oat products when the crop
is growing, or being harvested or transported.
For those known to be suffering from food intolerance to oats there are alternatives
such as rice and potatoes that can be eaten. However, it is important to have
a test to see whether oats and / or other food types are contributing to your
ill health symptoms and to determine which alternatives are suitable before any
dietary changes are made.
Do you think you may suffer from food intolerance?
Taking a First Step Food Intolerance Test enables you to eliminate uncertainty
and confirm whether you have food intolerance through a ‘positive’ or ‘negative’
test result. This way you can check if you have a food intolerance before taking
the Second Step FoodScan 113 which is the comprehensive service that identifies
the specific foods you are intolerant to.
Need further information?
Please call our food intolerance specialists on 0800 074 6185 who will be happy
to provide you with free, confidential expert advice and guidance on the First
Step food intolerance test. Alternatively click here for further information or buy now at a reduced special offer price of £9.99 (usually £19.99).
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