Is eating oats good for the thyroid? Here’s what an expert has to say

Due to increased health awareness in the recent past, many people have started to make healthier food choices. One food that has climbed the health charts is oats. This steaming hot bowl of all things healthy offers a wealth of health benefits. Studies have shown that eating oatmeal can help manage diabetes, reduce the risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, and more. It turns out that oatmeal a day can prevent the thyroid too!

Of course, there is no magic food in the world that will cure you completely, but some can be helpful, such as oats for the thyroid. Before we get into understanding this connection between oats and the thyroid, let’s take a look at exactly what thyroid disease is.

What is thyroid disease?

There is a butterfly-shaped thyroid gland in the neck. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), anything that goes wrong with your thyroid can affect its production. Because thyroid hormones play an important role in breathing, digestion, mood, weight and heart rate, it is important to control them. One of the key elements in keeping your thyroid hormones under control is eating the right foods.

Read also: Hypothyroidism: Follow These 5 Diet Tips to Balance Your Thyroid

A study published in the Sudanese Journal of Pediatrics found that eating a balanced diet is an important component of maintaining healthy thyroid function. Experts believe that oats can be part of this diet.

Oats for thyroid

Health Shots contacted Dr Pavithra N Raj, chief dietician at Manipal Hospital in Yeswanthpur, Karnataka, to understand how eating oats can help keep thyroid levels under control. She says oats are packed with many nutrients that can be good for people with thyroid problems.

An excellent source of vitamins B and E, zinc, copper, magnesium, manganese and iron, which produce thyroid hormones and maintain their balance. They also contain iodine, which is necessary for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. Oats are also a powerhouse of antioxidants called avenanthramides (Avenanthramides (AVA), which are a group of di-phenolic acids found only in oats. Rich in polyphenols, oats can help reduce inflammation and reduce the risk of thyroid-related autoimmune diseases, adds the expert.

The benefits of eating oats are not limited to the thyroid gland. It also contains complex carbohydrates and has a low glycemic index, where the metabolism increases with the extra fiber, as the body has to work harder to break down whole grains. This gives the body energy.

Read also: How thyroid and gut health are connected

How to include oats in the thyroid diet?

One of the best ways to ensure optimal thyroid function is through the food we eat, and oats are a good choice for thyroid sufferers. Dr N Raj recommends including 30-50 grams of oats depending on your condition and the variety you consume daily. You can have oatmeal, porridge oats, oat smoothies, oat chili or dosa to meet your daily nutrient requirements.