What are the health benefits of green oats?

Oats, the medicinal plant of the year 2017: It is known in a wide variety of forms and variants, as oat straw, oat flakes, oat milk or oat flour. But green oats in particular are known for their health-promoting properties. Read here what these are and how you can incorporate green oats into your diet.

What is green oats?

Green oats are the immature oat plants that are harvested before flowering. Oats belong to the Poaceae family, one of the largest families of flowering plants, along with other cereals such as wheat, rye, rice, etc. They are characterized by the formation of panicles instead of ears. (1)

Definition: Avena Sativa

In science, green oats are also called Avena Sativa. Avena comes from the Sanskrit word avasa, which means "food". Sativa is Latin and means "cultivated", which indicates that oats are a purely cultivated form. This is why they are also known as "seed oats". (1)

Oats at a glance:

Oats also known as: Biwen, Flöder, Haber, Hattel, Howern, Saat Hafer (2)
Native to: Asia Minor

Ingredients of green oats:

• Plant substances such as flavonoids
• Bitter substances such as saponins
• Dietary fiber
• Antioxidants
• Vitamins B1, B2, B6, D, E
• Amino acids
• Zinc, iron, manganese, calcium
• Niacin, folic acid, linoleic acid and silica

What health benefits are attributed to green oats?

The health potential of green oats was recognized decades ago by Indian healers. They used it as a natural remedy for various ailments. The following effects can be attributed to green oats:

Reduction of uric acid

People with gout in particular are advised to reduce their uric acid levels. Green oats can help support the excretion of uric acid. The reason for this is the diuretic saponins contained in oats.

Improves cardiovascular health

People with high blood pressure benefit from eating Avena sativa because its high antioxidant content helps to keep blood pressure from getting out of control. The high fiber content also has a positive effect on cardiovascular health. This is because fiber increases the amount of good cholesterol in the blood while reducing the amount of bad cholesterol. With more than twenty chemical plant compounds that have antioxidant properties, green oats can also counteract inflammation and redness, which are also symptoms of many acute diseases. (3) 

Improves the body's defense system

Last but not least, green oats can improve the body's defense system. Its richness in vitamins B1, B2, D, E, steroid compounds, alkaloids, minerals and flavonoids ensures that the white blood cells have sufficient resources for an active immune system. (4)

Helps with bone health

Calcium is an important bone-strengthening substance that is found in abundance in green oats. Due to the organic composition of calcium in green oats, it is easily absorbed by the body. It therefore has a high bioavailability. In some medical circles, it is also used in the treatment of osteoporosis and other bone diseases. (5) 

Promotes a healthy libido

Studies have shown that green oats can help combat problems related to a waning libido. In men, oats stimulate the pituitary gland, which increases the production of luteinizing hormones and increases testosterone levels. They also relieve any testosterone blockages, thus ensuring a balanced hormonal balance. This ensures more energy and a better sexual response. In women, stimulation can be increased due to improved blood flow. (6)

Green oats also help to balance the acid-base balance, stimulate digestion and relieve gastrointestinal complaints. They are also used to treat anxiety, exhaustion, tiredness and insomnia and can relieve tension.

How is green oats prepared and used?

Green oats can be consumed in the form of tea. You can either prepare it yourself or buy it pre-packaged online or in stores. When buying, make sure that the products are organic.

Green oat tea can be made from dried oat leaves. These can be bought in well-stocked organic shops. To make the tea, just put 1 tablespoon of oat leaves, preferably in a tea filter or tea egg. Then pour boiling water over it and let it steep for about 10-15 minutes.

You can decide for yourself how much green oat tea you drink. There is no official recommendation. It is usually worth preparing a pot and drinking it throughout the day.

Is oats gluten free?

Oats are generally gluten-free, but during cultivation and harvesting they come into contact with wheat and other grains containing gluten, which results in severe contamination. Therefore, they are not suitable for people who suffer from celiac disease. When consuming oat tea, it is important to pay attention to the label "gluten-free". The German Celiac Society provides further information. (7)

Conclusion:

Green oats belong to the grass family and are closely related to cereals such as wheat. They are particularly suitable for supporting health. For example, they can regulate uric acid levels and blood pressure, promote bone health and increase libido. Green oats are therefore a real benefactor for health. People who suffer from gluten intolerance or celiac disease should pay attention to the instructions on oat products.

Sources:

• Ganz C., Medicinal Plant of the Year 2017: Oats (Avena sativa). In: Swiss Journal of Integrative Medicine https://doi.org/10.1159/000463376

• Bühring U: Practical textbook of medicinal plant science. Stuttgart, Haug, 2014.

• Peterson, D., M. (2001). Oat antioxidants. Journal of Cereal Science, 33 (2), 115-129. doi: https://doi.org/10.1006/jcrs.2000.0349

• Daou , Zhang H. (2012). Oat Beta-Glucan: Its Role in Health Promotion and Prevention of Diseases.Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1541-4337.2012.00189.x

• Charles T. Price, Kenneth J. Koval, Joshua R. Langford (2013) Silicon: A Review of Its Potential Role in the Prevention and Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis. International Journal of Endocrinology (2013). doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/316783

• Vara Prasad Saka, Siva Reddy Challa, Akondi Butchi Raju. (2016) Effect of Avena sativa (Oats) on Spermatogenesis and Reproductive Health. Vol 20(2), 118-125, DOI: 10.18311/jer/2016/15471

• German Celiac Society (2020) (Accessed on: 25.10.2021) https://www.dzg-online.de/files/hafer_in_der_glutenfreien_ern__hrung_faq.pdf