Oatmeal oil: product features and health effects
Oil from oat bran has been known to mankind for a long time, even the healers of Ancient Russia guessed about the beneficial properties of this plant. Today, oatmeal oil has acquired a "second" life. After legislative restrictions on some dietary supplements, this product has found wide application. The article talks about what oat oil is, how to use it correctly, how it can affect human health.
What it is?
When mankind began to obtain oil from oblong grains of oats, it is not known for certain. The history of oats itself goes back several thousand years. Those who were wealthy enough used this oil for beauty. For example, according to rumors, the legendary Queen Cleopatra did this. Those who did not have such wealth and title were glad if oatmeal oil fell on the table as a delicious addition to meager food.
Oil production involves pressing an oily concentrate from oat bran and grains. The consistency of the oil is quite thick, the color is yellowish, the smell is with a slight sweetish note. In the production of such a product, technologies implying a high temperature regime are not used. High temperatures do not allow many useful substances to be preserved. Low-temperature extraction, which is used to obtain oil from oats, ensures that vitamins and other beneficial substances are retained in the product almost completely.
Composition and benefits
Oat oil is a valuable source of such polyunsaturated acids as Omega-3 and Omega-6. They are necessary for a person for the health of the nervous system, better functioning of the brain, liver, and strengthening of the immune system. These substances are not produced in the body, they must be supplied with food. If a person does not like fish oil (and the vast majority of such people on the planet), oat oil will be an excellent alternative source of acids.
The product is rich in vitamins. Especially a lot of B vitamins in it, which have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the nervous system, on the state of internal organs. Vitamin K is necessary for blood formation, and vitamin A, which is also abundant in the product, will support eye health. Vitamin D is necessary for better absorption of calcium, which is necessary for the health of blood vessels, bones, cartilage, teeth and hair. And tocopherol (vitamin E) will help maintain healthy skin and improve overall well-being.
All these vitamins contribute to the removal of toxins from the body, and their lack adversely affects blood circulation, blood pressure, as well as the reproductive capabilities of men and women. Only 30 grams of oat oil per day fully cover the daily requirement of an adult for sodium, potassium, iron, magnesium.
This composition helps to improve metabolic processes, contributes to the overall improvement of the body. Especially the product is indicated for people with diseases of the cardiovascular system, inflammation of the gallbladder and a violation of the outflow of bile, with some problems with the kidneys and urinary system. Oil is useful for representatives of mental labor and people who experience serious mental and emotional stress - due to polyunsaturated acids, memory, thinking and logic processes are improved, the risk of depression or a nervous breakdown is reduced.
For people suffering from constipation, oatmeal oil helps to quickly and gently empty the intestines, and the systematic use of this product will be an excellent prevention of the problem. Couples planning to become parents attach particular importance to the product - the composition of the oil contains substances necessary to improve spermatogenesis and egg maturation, as well as to normalize the functioning of the gonads.
Possible harm
Nutritionists have been arguing about the benefits and harms of this oil for a long time, the end of this dispute is not yet in sight. However, the main problem lies in the inability of most people to use a new product for them. Some are so eager to enjoy the benefits as soon as possible that they begin to consume oat oil in quantities exceeding what is reasonable. As a result, the beneficial properties turn the other way around - frequent intestinal disorders begin, an allergic reaction may develop, and a large overdose causes all the signs of classic food poisoning.
To keep oat bran and grain oil healthy, it cannot be boiled and overheated. With strong heating, the product begins to release carcinogens, which really pose a great danger to humans.
Allergies that users of the product are susceptible to develop mainly in those who take the oil for too long. That is why it is recommended to arrange courses of treatment and rehabilitation, not exceeding 21 days. Food poisoning can be easily avoided by carefully reading the expiration date on the packaging and the recommended dosage.
Can you cook on your own?
It is impossible to cook real oat oil at home; this requires special equipment, which is only at the disposal of centralized food industry enterprises. However, some make an oil infusion, which is also called oat oil, although, in fact, this definition is not entirely appropriate.
In the manufacture of such an infusion, fresh oat grains are taken, ground in a mortar and poured with vegetable oil. After a week of infusion under a lid in a dark place, the resulting mixture is filtered. Of course, the beneficial properties of real oatmeal oil are much higher than those of the liquid obtained in this way. But in home use, such an infusion can be quite useful.
Application
It should be noted that oatmeal oil is used in two ways: internally (for general health) and externally (in cosmetology). The cosmetic effect of the product is really very noticeable, and therefore oat oil is highly valued by women. As part of homemade face masks, the product acts as a good anti-inflammatory and healing agent. The skin is moisturized, micro-wounds “tighten” faster. Therefore, such masks are considered optimal as restorative procedures after peeling, whitening, mechanical or other skin cleansing. The complexion becomes healthier, and fine wrinkles become less noticeable with age-related fading.
A separate application has found oil to restore brittle, brittle hair, injured by dyeing, perm or frequent use of a straightener and a hair dryer. For hair care, you don’t need much - just add a tablespoon of oil to your regular shampoo and rub it thoroughly into your hair and scalp. Some make hair masks using this product.
The benefits, according to cosmetologists, will be much greater if a woman combines the external use of oat oil for cosmetic purposes with taking a small amount of the product inside.
To improve the body, the oil is taken orally in its pure form, salads are seasoned with it. You can’t fry on it, this issue was highlighted above. There are strict rules that must be followed by those who want to use the product by mouth:
- the daily dose for an adult should not exceed 20 ml, it can be divided into several meals;
- for constipation, the dose should not be more than 10 ml, but it must be taken once and on an empty stomach;
- do not mix the product with acetic acid (in this case, the chemical composition of the oil begins to undergo significant changes that are unlikely to benefit the body);
- the general course of admission should be no more than 3 weeks, after which it is necessary to take a break of 2-3 months.
Can children take?
Oatmeal oil is acceptable for baby food, but not earlier than six months of age. The dosage for the baby should be 1-2 grams per day. By the year it is allowed to give no more than 5 grams of vegetable oil, and the daily allowance for a three-year-old child is no more than 9 grams. This does not mean the use in its pure form, but only the addition of the product to a salad or warm porridge. It is forbidden to pour oatmeal oil into hot soups and main dishes.
Remember that the product can be allergenic even for adults. That's why enter it in the child's menu only after a mandatory consultation with the pediatrician.
It is worth considering that it is better to cook oily sea fish rich in omega acids than to give your child vegetable oil with a high content of the same omega acids.However, in certain cases (for example, with constipation), the mother may well cope with the problem by treating the child with half a teaspoon of oat oil, provided that the baby is not allergic.
See below for details.