The best whole grain for your heart is probably already in your pantry.
Whole grains are a healthy part of any diet, but they’re especially great for your ticker.
The No.
Photographer: Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christina Dailey
Here’s why nutritionists choose oats as their heart-healthiest whole grain.
She explains that beta-glucan combines with water to form a gel-like substance in your GI tract.
Less inflammation
Besides its high beta-glucan content, oats also contain heart-health anti-inflammatory compounds.
One group of plant compounds, called avenanthramides, are only present in oats.
More research on this topic is needed, but the results are promising.
And believe it or not,all varieties of oatsprovide the same nutritional quality to your diet.
“Like oats, barley is packed with phytonutrients and cholesterol-lowering beta-glucan soluble fiber,” says Karnatz.
Sorghum
Sorghum is a drought-tolerant and affordable crop that you might not think of.
It has the same texture as Israeli couscous but it’s nuttier and higher in nutrients.
Other whole grains, like barley and sorghum, also contribute to overall heart health.
To keep your heart happy and healthy throughout the years, stock your pantry with nutritious whole grains.
