General Chat

Have a look at twenty reasons why porridge is the ultimate health food.
1. IMPROVES SEX LIFE
Porridge oats can boost libido by helping to re-balance testosterone and oestrogen in the body. Testosterone drives sexual desire in both sexes. Men with low testosterone levels go off sex.
2. GOOD FOR HANGOVERS
Oats neutralise acidity levels in the body and help absorb toxins. Since a hangover is the result of the "poisonous" effects of alcohol, a bowl of porridge might help relieve the symptoms.
Porridge also contains one of the highest levels of soluble fibre of any cereal. Soluble fibre is essential for healthy digestion. Since alcohol depletes sugar levels, the slow-releasing carbohydrates in porridge help redress this.
3. HELPS QUIT SMOKING
Compounds in oats can help calm the nervous system and reduce the craving for nicotine.
4. HEALS THE SKIN
Bathing in oat-based solutions can help problem skin. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the anti-inflammatory compounds in porridge oats can help conditions such as psoriasis and eczema. Fill a sock or stocking with porridge oats and place in water for 20 minutes while bathing.
5. FIGHTS INFECTION
Of all the cereals, porridge has the best proportion of protein needed for growth and repair in the body and to help boost the immune system.
6. FIGHTS HEART DISEASE
Many studies have shown that eating fibre-rich food such as porridge reduces the risk of heart disease. But scientists in the U.S. found that porridge contains avenanthramides - chemicals that stop blood cells sticking to artery walls, preventing the fatty deposits that cause heart disease.
7. REDUCES DIABETES RISK SLOWLY
Digested foods such as porridge might cut the risk of developing non-insulin dependent diabetes by absorbing sugar from the gut and cutting the need for large quantities of insulin to be released.
8. HELPS CONCENTRATION
The slow releasing complex carbohydrates in oats sustain energy levels, allowing full concentration to be maintained. Complex carbohydrates also stabilise and raise blood sugar levels.
9. BEATS DEPRESSION
Porridge is high in Vitamin B6, which promotes the brain chemical serotonin. High levels of serotonin are associated with feelings of well-being and also aid relaxation and restful sleep. Levels of serotonin dip when sunlight is limited - i.e. during winter - and can lead to the depressive condition Seasonal Affective Disorder.
10. BOOTS ENERGY
Porridge oats are high in complex carbohydrates and soluble fibre, which means they release energy slowly. A bowl of porridge should provide all the energy you need until lunchtime.
11. CUTS CHILDHOOD OBESITY
A study of 10,000 children by researchers at New York's Columbia University found that among those who regularly ate whole-oat products, the proportion of overweight children almost halved.
Researchers at Oxford Brookes University also found that those eating foods with a low glycaemic index (GI), such as porridge, were less likely to binge on sugary snacks. Foods with a low GI rating release glucose into the body more slowly and evenly, leaving you feeling fuller for longer.
12. LOWERS CHOLESTEROL
Porridge is rich in soluble fibre, which has been shown to lower blood cholesterol. High cholesterol occurs when fat builds up and constricts the arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart. Eating oats can improve blood flow and bind to cholesterol in the gut, aiding its removal from the body. Scientists think the cholesterol-lowering effects of oats are due to the oat soluble fibre beta-glucan.
13. PREVENTS CONSTIPATION
High-fibre foods such as porridge increase the movement of food through the digestive tract.
This increased bowel action provides a good environment for beneficial bacteria in the gut to ferment while decreasing levels of destructive bacteria.
14. FIGHTS OSTEOPOROSIS
Porridge oats are blended with milk, making an excellent source of calcium which is essential for bone health. Lack of calcium can lead to osteoporosis, which involves a loss of bone density and can make bones fragile.
15. CAN HELP DIETING
Porridge oats are 100 per cent natural, with no added sugar, salt or additives, and are naturally low in calories. An average bowl of porridge made with water contains 171 calories.
16. GOOD FOR PREGNANT WOMEN
Porridge is a source of folic acid. Studies have shown that taking folic acid from before conception until the 12th week of pregnancy can reduce the chances of having a baby with spina bifida. Pregnant women need 400mcg of folic acid a day.

17. FIGHTS CANCER
Oats are rich in the antioxidant vitamin E, which protects the body from the damaging free radicals that can cause cancer. A diet high in soluble fibre foods such as porridge oats might also help reduce the chances of developing bowel, colon and breast cancer.
18. CONTAINS ESSENTIAL MINERALS
Porridge is a good source of manganese, which is essential in allowing the body to produce energy as well as helping to build bones and connective tissue. It also contains zinc, which is needed for normal growth, sexual development and reproduction, and a healthy immune system.
19. REDUCES BLOOD PRESSURE
A daily serving of oats can improve blood pressure control and reduce the need for anti-hypertensive medication, according to U.S. researchers - 73 per cent of those fed a wholegrain oat-based cereal (containing 3g of soluble fibre) stopped or reduced their blood pressure medication by half.
20. COULD HELP LONG LIFE
Britain's longest living man, David Henderson, from Montrose, Scotland, who died in 1998 at 109, attributed his age and good health to a daily bowl of porridge. This could be because the lipids present in oats contain a good balance of essential fatty acids which have been linked to longevity and general good health.

Nudge.
Brian(i)

Good Gracious me Liz. Well, lets just say OH will be getting porridge for breakfast lunch and dinner!!! (for reason 1) PMSL.

I love porridge actually and have it quite a lot, made with water with a little milk added after cooking to cool it down and a sprinkling of brown suger.

Tina x

Yes it does all that
But I dont like it
lol

I loved my dads porridge it was so rich. Sadly i never watched him cook it and never asked all what he put in it.

But the way he made it wasnt very heatly. Old dad was a good cook.

Miss him.

But i do still have it and Caitlin loves it as well.

I think i am going to have some now.

Hazel

I love it, but should have it more often. Its no bother with the new Oats so Simple sachets either.....add water, 2 mins in microwave. I have it made with water and a splash of milk added after. Nice with blueberries.

Love porridge, must have a pinch of salt in it while its cooking then when its in the bowl some milk on the top, lovely, no sugar on it though, yuck !!!!!

Is there anybody on here brave enough to tell my wife I need my OATS every day. ???

I've got a long forgotton box of porridge at the back of the cupboard...I'm off out to get a new one! Always knew it was good for you, but not that good!

Pam. ☺

You don't need to eat it as porridge, I have it as it is and add some raisins, some soft fruit and half a banana mixed with cold milk. Its lovely

Tina, I am pmsl You take care lol it does say they give you prolonged energy so who knows...?

You can buy bags of Scottish porridge oats in many supermarkets for under £1, and cook in a bowl in a microwave with just water or milk,don't have to have the sugar and they only contain a trace of sugar naturally. I add them dry to the ready mixed muesli I buy so it is mostly oats, and am eating less bread now altho you can get bread made with oats too.
Mac, you don't have to have porridge with sugar, you can add dried fruit or fresh fruit, I often slice a banana in mine too and have skimmed or semi skimmed milk as Meduck says. I love your name Meduck, it always reminds me of my Dad, who used to use the term sometimes.

Oats can be very calming too, which presumably is how they help the blood pressure as well.

I will start buying shares in Quaker lol

Lizxx

Actually, thinking about it, OH does eat porridge, so perhaps I can have them under the trades description act! PMSL

Tina x

pmsl Tina

There is some very useful info on here besides making everyone laugh lol

Lizx

n for Carole.

these are better than Cheerios lol

n

I use the wee sachets , very handy , lovely with fruit -not banana though , Liz! Agree with HARPSTRINGS on no1 --all he eats is CORN FLAKES !

The sachets are handy but do have added sugar and sunflower oil and such, so I try to use those only when I am rushed, they are an expensive way to do it too, as a bag of oats is much cheaper and goes further.

Lizx