20 Wonderful Benefits of Oats for Skin, Hair and Health

Nutritional Value Of Oats

As per 100 g of uncooked steel-cut oats.

Calories – 364

Oats Benefits For Skin

1. Exfoliates Skin

Oats are often used in beauty products – body scrubs, exfoliators, cleansers, etc and even at home because it has the ability to extract dead skin cells, accumulated dirt, grime, blackheads, whiteheads and damaged skin off the face. Oats contain compounds called saponins that act as natural cleansers, exfoliators and dirt removers. Oats help in maintaining the natural balance of oil on the face. It remove excess oil in order to prevent formation of pimples, acne, blemishes dark spots, blackheads, whiteheads and scars. Oats is anti-inflammatory and hence does not cause any form of skin irritation or lead to redness. Soak oats in mild for 15 minutes and use it as a face or body scrub. Massage it all over the face for 2 minutes. The oats will work on extracting the dead skins cells. Wash the scrub off using a normal water. Apply a moisturiser after using the scrub.

2. Moisturise Skin

Oatmeal has antioxidants and is anti-inflammatory in nature. Soaked oats helps in treating dry, red and itchy skin. If you are suffering from dry and itchy skin on other parts of the body, an oatmeal bath would be efficient in easing the inflammation. This can be done by adding baking soda and uncooked oatmeal to the bath water. Finely ground oatmeal – colloidal oatmeal – especially made for baths is also available widely in the market. You should soak in the bath water for 15-20 minutes. After extracting yourself from the bathtub, pad your entire body dry with a clean cotton cloth. Apply oatmeal powder paste as a moisturiser. This can do wonders for your skin. You can simply blend oatmeal powder with hot water to form a paste. Apply a thin layer of the paste on the skin and leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with normal water. You can also apply oatmeal milk to the skin. Soak some oats in milk for 15 minutes. Apply the residual on the face. The milk penetrates deep within the skin and provides the needed moisture. You can also add other ingredients to the oatmeal milk – honey, egg yolk or aloe vera gel.

3. Anti-Aging Properties

Oats are natural cleansers and moisturisers. They exfoliate the skin of dead cells which accumulate overtime and cause other issues like pimples, hyperpigmentation, sagging of skin, etc. Negligent care can lead to eventual aging of skin. The aging can occur prematurely and make a person look older than their actual age. It leads to appearance of fine lines, crow’s feet, wrinkles, pigmentation, sagging of skin, loss of elasticity, etc. You can apply oatmeal milk as an anti-aging mask. Keep the mask on for 15-20 minutes before washing it off using room temperature water. It helps the skin to maintain its elasticity and tone. It also delays the early onset of aging.

4. Reduces Acne

Oats contain zinc which help in reducing inflammation of skin. Zinc penetrates the skin and removes the dead skin cells causing the acne. Oats acts as an exfoliator and polisher for the skin. It removes the dead layers of skin, extracts impurities and dead skin cells and scrubs off the blacks and whiteheads. It reduces the production of excess oil on the face which is the main cause of acne. It also helps in treating acne scars and dark spots. You can soak up 1 cup of oats in water or milk for an hour before adding other ingredients like raw crushed tomatoes and onions to deepen the exfoliation. You can also make another recipe containing oats, raw honey and milk. This makes a perfect natural cleanser for acne prone skin. However in some people, oats have shown to aggravate the conditions of acne when used for a prolonged period of time.

5. Treat Chicken Pox

Oatmeal can help in treating several skin related ailments like chicken pox and poison ivy. The anti-inflammatory properties present in oats help in relieving itchiness, redness, swelling and inflammation caused by poison ivy and chickenpox. The water used for soaking oatmeal can be used to treat the symptoms of chickenpox. Pour a cup of oats in a bowl and soak it in water 15-20 minutes. Now pour it inside a muslin cloth and tie it over a bowl. You can squeeze out the water from cloth and use it on the infected areas. You can also dab the cloth directly to the inflamed skin. The protein from the oatmeal water helps creating of protection for the skin. The fats present in the oatmeal help in protecting the skin from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

Oats Benefits For Hair

1. Adds Shine

Oats hair mask is moisturising and nourishing for the hair. The compounds present in oats penetrate deep within the hair follicles and locks. Oats have lubricated fats and protein which help nourish the hair and make them healthier. It repairs the damages caused by the fluctuating climatic conditions and external environment. You can make an oatmeal hair mask by soaking 1 cup of oats in milk. Add 1 tablespoon of honey and an egg yolk for extra nourishment. It adds shine and smoothness to the hair.

2. Moisturises Hair

Oats have the needed fats and protein which penetrate deep within the scalp and moisturise the hair roots. The minerals from the oats help in locking the moisture content in the hair and encourage stable production of natural oils which keep the hair follicles moisturised. Oats also helps in treating dry and damaged hair. Hair often start getting dry during the winters, due to certain external and internal factors like hormonal changes, improper nutrition, stress, etc. You can make a hair moisturising oatmeal mask at home using oats, honey, egg yolk and milk. Simply combine all of them together and apply to the hair from root to tips. Leave the hair mask on for 15-20 minutes and wash using warm water or a mild shampoo. Avoid products with harsh chemicals and preservative – they can cause damage and dry out the hair.

3. Promotes Hair Growth

Oats have the natural compounds which treat the scalp, hair follicles, damaged hair roots and split ends. It stimulates the circulation of blood to the scalp. Massaging oatmeal milk or any other oats recipe into the scalp promote flow of blood to each hair hair follicle. This boosts hair growth and loss of hair fall. It helps in reducing thinning and drying of hair. You can also combine growth stimulating oils like extra virgin coconut oil, olive oil and argan oil with oats. Apply the blend of chosen oil and oats to the scalp, massage well and leave it on for 30 minutes. Wash it off using warm water or a mild shampoo with no chemicals.

4. Treats Scalp Infections

Oats have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. The properties are beneficial for conditions of the scalp. The scalp is prone to infections and inflammations during fluctuating seasons. When left untreated, excess oil can accumulate on the scalp along with dirt and pollution from the surroundings. This can lead to dandruff, scaly patches, itching, redness, scalp eczema and other scalp infections. The best way to treat the scalp using oats is by making an oatmeal shampoo with simple ingredients like lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, cedarwood essential oil and water.

5. Reduces Excess Oil

Oats have a medium grainy texture which is perfect for a body, face and hair scrub. The grainy texture helps in exfoliating the scalp by extracting dead skin cells, dandruff, scalp bacteria, toxins, germs and excess oil. During the summer amid heavy humidity, the scal starts producing excess natural oil which is also termed as sebum. Excess sebum leads to increased risk of dandruff, scalp infections, eczema, scaly patches and itching. You can use the oatmeal shampoo or hair mask to help in reducing the excess oil on the scalp.

Health Benefits Of Oats

1. Good For Heart

Oats are great for the heart. It has fiber which helps in reducing cholesterol. It has antioxidants and vitamin C which fights against LDL oxidation which causes problems with the heart. It have vitamin E which decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Oats promotes the absorption of nutrients and minerals which is beneficial for the circulation of blood and functioning of heart.

2. Natural Diabetic Treatment

Oats have a high fiber content and low glycemic index. This helps in regulating the fluctuation blood sugar levels in the body. Nutritionists often advise patients suffering type 1 type 2 diabetes to consume oats daily as a part of their diet. Oats gets digested slowly and makes the stomach full. This reduces the chances of blood sugar spikes. However, avoid flavoured oats which are available in the market. They have high sugar and fat content which can reverse effects on the blood sugar levels.

3. Relieves Constipation

Oats are enriched with insoluble fiber which makes it a perfect food companion for constipation. It helps in relieving the pain and symptoms of constipation. It increases the weight of the stool and promotes easy bowel movement. It also helps in treating colorectal cancer.

4. Prevents Cancer

Fiber present oats prevents the risk of colon and rectal cancers. Consuming high contents of fiber is known to create immunity for bowel cancer. Avenanthramides are special compounds present in oats which have anti-inflammatory properties. It is known to prevent the growth of cancerous cells. However, there is no research or study to prove that consuming oats can be a treatment for cancer.

5. Fights Hypertension

Consuming oats reduces high blood pressure and also cuts back the risk of heart attack in obese people. It is recommended for the patients suffering from hypertension to include organic cooked oats in their daily diet. Oatmeal served hot is comforting for the body – it reduces stress and boosts the feeling calmness.

6. Boosts Immune System

There is beta-glucan in oatmeal which helps in absorbing nutrients and minerals needed for protecting the immune system from viral diseases and infections. It enhances the immunity level of the body and promotes the functioning of white blood cells. Oats are also enriched with zinc and selenium which help in fighting communicative diseases. Beta-glucan also reduces the risk and effects of asthma. It is also antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. It helps in quick recovery from wounds and bacterial infections.

7. Aids Weight Loss

High content of fibre is needed in the body to keep the hunger satiated. This reduces the risk of binging on unhealthy foods and snacks. Oats are complex carbohydrates which promote easy digestion, absorption of nutrients and bowel movement. It is directly associated with reduction in body weight and accumulated fat around the muscles. It is recommended to add exercise to your daily regime in order to see effective results. Avoid sugary and flavoured oats.

8. Improves Bone Health

Oats have minerals such as silicon which promotes formation and maintenance of bones. It also aids in treatment of arthritis, knee and joint pain, spinal injury, spondylitis, osteoporosis and deformed bones. However, high consumption of oatmeal can hinder the absorption of calcium. Hence, it is recommended to reach out your doctor while deciding the dosage of oats.

9. Promotes Sleep Quality

The amino acids present in oats produce melatonin which promote the quality of sleep. Oats encourage the production of insulin which helps the nervous system to absorb tryptophan. Tryptophan is another amino acid which sedates the brain into going to sleep. Oats have vitamin B6 which reduce stress and it also release serotonin which reduces stress. Combine oats with honey, milk and bananas for best results.

10. Increases Metabolism

Oats are enriched with complex carbohydrates which boosts a surge of energy in the body. Oats should be consumed first thing in the morning as breakfast to spike up the metabolism and to get the body ready for the day. Oats gets absorbed slowly – hence it will make you feel full till lunch. Oats also contain thiamine, niacin and folate that boost energy and combat exhaustion.

5 Best Oatmeal Recipes

1. Honey And Oatmeal

Ingredients

• Honey – 1 tablespoon
• Oats – ½ cup
• Water – ½ cup

Directions

1. Soak ½ cup of oats in ½-1 cup of water.
2. Now add 1 tablespoon of honey to the soaked oats.
3. Mix well and apply the mixture on the face or hair.
4. The mask has beneficial moisturising and nourishing effects.

2. Oatmeal Milk

Ingredients

• Oats – 1 cup
• Milk – 1 cup

Directions

1. Grind the oats into a medium texture.
2. Add the grinded oats to 1 cup of milk.
3. Let the oats get completely soaked in the milk (approx. 15-20 minutes).
4. Now transfer the mixture to a muslin cloth and strain out the milk.
5. You can also directly use the unstrained version as a face and body scrub.
6. Use the strained oatmeal milk as a natural cleanser.

3. Egg Yolk And Oatmeal

Ingredients

• Egg Yolk – 1
• Oats – ½ cup
• Water – ½ cup

Directions

1. Soak ½ cup of oats in ½-1 cup of water.
2. Now add one egg yolk to the soaked oats.
3. Mix well and apply the mixture on the face or hair.
4. The mask has beneficial moisturising and nourishing effects.

4. Oatmeal Shampoo

Ingredients

• Oatmeal – 2 cups
• Water – 1 cup
• Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon
• Apple Cider Vinegar – 1 teaspoon
• Cedarwood essential oil – 20 drops

Directions

1. Grind 2 cups of steel-cut oatmeal for a minute.
2. Now add the oatmeal mixture to 1 cup of boiling water in a pot.
3. Let the oats dissolves completely into the water.
4. Switch off the stove and let the mixture cool down.
5. Now transfer the mixture to a bowl.
6. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice (skip this part if you have color treated hair)
7. Add 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
8. Add 20 drops of cedarwood essential oil – it treats the scalp and promotes hair growth.
9. Mix well and transfer the mixture to an empty shampoo bottle.
10. While using the oatmeal shampoo – apply it to damp hair and leave it on for 15-20 minutes before washing off with warm water.

5. Oatmeal Bath

Ingredients

• Oats – 2 cups
• Hot bathwater – filled bathtub

Directions

1. Add 2 cups of oats to a hot bathtub filled to the brim.
2. Let the oats soak in the water for 2-3 minutes.
3. Plunge in the water and stay for 15-20 minutes.
4. Pat yourself dry using a cotton cloth.

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