title: Oat: unique among the cereals.
abstract: This review is intended to focus on the composition of oat and its therapeutic potential in the pharmacology that supports its use to cure various maladies. Oat (Avena sativa) is distinct among the cereals due to its multifunctional characteristics and nutritional profile. Recent advancement in food and nutrition has revealed the importance of its various components. It is a good source of dietary fiber especially beta-glucan, minerals and other nutrients. Oat and oat by products have been proven to be helpful in the treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. Oat bran in particular, is good source of B complex vitamins, protein, fat, minerals besides heart healthy soluble fiber beta-glucan. The beta-glucan has outstanding functional properties and is of immense importance in human nutrition. Different physiological effects of beta-glucan are related to its viscosity, attenuation of postprandial plasma glucose and insulin responses, high transport of bile acids towards lower parts of the intestinal tract and high excretion of bile acids thereby lowering of serum cholesterol levels. Moreover, it is helpful against coeliac disease. The incorporation of oat grains and oat bran in the food products improves not only the nutrition but also a therapy against various maladies.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Masood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sadiq Butt
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tahir-Nadeem
authors.forename: Muhammad Kashif Iqbal
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Rabia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shabir
authors.forename: Mehmood S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Butt
mesh_terms: D019540:Area Under Curve; D018554:Avena / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000178:diet therapy; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000178:diet therapy; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000178:diet therapy; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008903:Minerals / Q000032:analysis; D019518:Postprandial Period; D012995:Solubility; D014783:Viscosity; D014815:Vitamins / Q000032:analysis; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D008903:Minerals; D014815:Vitamins; D047071:beta-Glucans; D002784:Cholesterol