The helping of porridge that helps your heart

By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated: 20:47 EST, 30 October 2008

Eating just three grams of oats a day can protect against heart attacks, says a study.

This could help lower levels of cholesterol by up to 17 per cent.

One bowl of muesli or porridge at breakfast and a lunchtime sandwich made from two slices of oat-flour bread would be enough to reach this recommended level.

Eating oats regularly can help protect against heart attacks, studies suggest

Eating oats regularly can help protect against heart attacks, studies suggest

Nutritionist Carrie Ruxton urged those who don't have time to make porridge to use cereal bars and oatcakes to increase their intake.

Dr Ruxton examined 21 studies into the health benefits of oats carried out between 1990 and 2008.

Fifteen of the studies found regular consumption of oats reduced total cholesterol levels among the 1,450 volunteers.

In 13 of the studies, cholesterol levels were reduced 'significantly', sometimes by up to 17 per cent.

Of the six studies which found no effect on total cholesterol, three reported big reductions in so-called 'bad' LDL cholesterol. And some found that eating oats regularly boosted levels of 'good' HDL cholesterol.

Uniquely among wholegrain cereals, oats are a major source of a soluble fibre called beta-glucan. This is thought to have the cholesterol-lowering effect.

Dr Ruxton said: 'This review provides further evidence that regular oat consumption is an effective dietary strategy for helping reduce cardiovascular disease risk.'

She called on food manufacturers to develop more oat-based products.

A recent study found that consumption of wholegrains is declining in the UK and other countries such as the U.S. Nearly one in three Britons did not eat wholegrain foods and only 16 per cent ate three or more portions a day.

The oats study, funded by Weetabix, was published in the British Food Journal.