The role of oat products in the prevention and therapy of type 2 diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and obesity

A healthy diet, of which unrefined grain products are an essential element, is crucial to maintaining health and well-being. Both oats and oat products have been used for centuries and are a widely popular dietary component. They are rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals, as well as other biologically active compounds, which gives them many health-promoting properties. Because of their high nutritional value, these products are widely used in many branches of industry.

The aim of this article is to present the current body of knowledge about the influence of oat products on human health, and also their industrial applications. A special emphasis is placed on the relationship between the intake of products made from oats and the development and treatment of such disorders as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and excess body weight. There are many scientific reports indicating that the incorporation of oat products into the diet is associated with beneficial effects in the context of the above conditions, notably due to the high content of water-soluble dietary fibre, particularly β-glucans, which deserve special recognition. According to the body of academic literature, high consumption of the latter is linked to enhanced glycemic control, reduction in blood cholesterol and may also contribute to weight loss in overweight and obesity. For these reasons, oat products deserve special attention and should be recommended for both prophylactic and therapeutic use in metabolic disorders.