OATS (Avena sativa)

Some discoveries show that oats were consumed by people far before of their domestication. There are many different species of wild oats but only four species have been cultivated. The most common cultivated oat species is named Avena sativa, which you can find in grocery stores. Oats came into Europe far after wheat and barley. But today Europe is the largest oat producer in the world. Oats were in majority of cases grown just for animal feed, but in recent years there was also and increased human consumption of oats.

Whether oats are rolled, or steel cut are almost always in their whole grain form. Oats are very popular as breakfast food. They have high levels of protein and healthy fats.  They contain beta-glucans as well as barley and they contain polyphenols which have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Oats are a good source of protein, fiber, selenium, iron, thiamin (vitamin B1), magnesium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, and manganese. Oats also have anti-itching properties, which is why they are also popular in beauty products

Oats doesn’t contain gluten, but the problem with oats is that its frequently contaminated with wheat during growing or processing, so it’s important that gluten-intolerant people look for pure, uncontaminated oats.

HOW TO BE CERTAIN YOU'RE GETTING WHOLE OATS?

References:

1. Oldways whole grains council. Oats- January grain of the month.

2. Oldways whole grains council. Gluten free whole grains

3. Oldways whole grains council. Whole grains A to Z