The complex carbohydrates and fiber in oats are essential when it comes to helping stabilize blood sugar levels, which benefits many like diabetics as well as anyone that is in search of long-lasting energy. Oats have for a long time been used to treat nervousness, and recent reports show that they really do have calming powers. For example, one study of heavy smokers trying to quit found that withdrawal symptoms were lessened more by an oat extract than by a placebo. The complex carbohydrates and fiber in oats probably contribute to this soothing or calming effect; the oats help steady blood sugar levels and stabilize the mood.

Oats have been known to help control appetite, helping people lose weight, soothe nerves, it’s a great cholesterol reducer, it can ease constipation, it may help prevent heart disease and stroke, and it may also help prevent cancer. Soon after the cholesterol-heart disease information became available, and that oat bran was proved to help reduce cholesterol levels, it seemed like it only took a very short time for oat bran muffins to becomepopular among health-conscious eaters.