A short-term oat-based diet can help reduce "bad" LDL cholesterol, improve blood pressure, and even aid weight loss. Foodinfo.az reports, citing Sports.kz, that this conclusion was reached in a study published in the journal Nature Communications.
In the experiment, participants were offered to eat mainly oats for two days — three servings per day. As a result, their LDL cholesterol decreased by about 10%, along with slight reductions in weight and blood pressure.
Cardiologist-dietitian Michelle Rutenstein stated that this effect is explained by strict control of nutrition:
"When food intake is strictly controlled, the rapid decrease in LDL cholesterol becomes more evident."
The expert added that this does not mean oats affect only in large amounts or over short periods — the outcome relates to the overall structure of the diet.
Dietitian Kristin Kirkpatrick noted that everyone seeks variety and the body needs various vitamins and minerals, but oats are a strong addition for heart health. Specialists state that managing cholesterol involves not only diet but also physical activity, sleep, stress management, and giving up harmful habits. Focusing on consistent long-term dietary habits is more beneficial than short-term diets.