Two-Day Oatmeal Diet Reduces Cholesterol Levels 0 9

Researchers from the University of Bonn have found that a two-day oatmeal-based diet effectively lowers levels of 'bad' cholesterol. This is reported by Nature Communications.

The experiment involved 68 participants. One group was fed primarily oatmeal cooked in water with a small amount of fruits or vegetables for two days. Each day, participants received about 300 grams of oats and approximately half the calories they usually consumed. The second group followed a low-calorie diet but did not include oats.

Analysis showed that participants in the experimental group had a 10 percent average reduction in LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels. Additionally, they lost about two kilograms in weight, and their blood pressure decreased somewhat. These changes persisted for six weeks. In the control group, similar metabolic shifts were less pronounced.

In a follow-up study, participants consumed 80 grams of oatmeal daily for six weeks without calorie restrictions. However, in this case, the impact on cholesterol levels was negligible.

The scientists linked the positive effect of the short-term oatmeal diet to changes in the gut microbiome. The oatmeal diet stimulated the growth of beneficial bacteria involved in cholesterol metabolism and reduced the activity of microbes that impair insulin sensitivity.

The authors of the study believe that a short-term oatmeal diet can be considered an additional non-pharmacological method for lowering cholesterol. However, they emphasize that such a diet does not replace pharmacological therapy and requires further research.