Oat Bran

What Is Oat Bran?

Oat bran is the tough outer layer of the cereal grain oat which has high nutritional value. The aleurone and pericarp combines together to form this layer. The bran is typically produced, along with oat germ, as a byproduct of milling oats for producing refined grains. It may be confused with chaff, the coarse, scaly material covering the grains. But, the chaff is not a part of the grains while the bran contains a significant amount of oat’s nutrition, which is lost with its removal. It is good for human health, offering countless health benefits.

Oat Bran Picture

Oat Bran

Dukan Diet

The Dukan Diet is a popular protein-based diet plan for losing weight, originally designed by Dr Pierre Dukan. The bran plays a vital role in this diet with an individual on the diet requiring at least one serving every day. The necessary amount varies depending on the diet’s stage:

  • Attack Phase: One and a half tablespoonful of bran per day
  • Cruise Phase: Two tablespoons per day
  • Consolidation Phase: Two tablespoons per day
  • Stabilization Phase: Three tablespoons per day

Oat bran dietary supplements are also available for those who cannot avail the real bran. These tablets should be taken every day to make sure the body is getting all the benefits of the nutritious food. However, it is essential to consult a doctor before considering taking the supplement.

Nutrition Facts

Here is the nutritional value for 94 gm (1 cup) of the bran:

Nutrients Amount (Recommended Daily Value)
Calories 231 (12%)
Protein 16.3 gm (33%)
Cholesterol 0.0 mg (0%)
Total Carbohydrate 62.3 gm (21%)
– Dietary Fiber 14.5 gm (58%)
– Sugars 1.4 gm
Total Fat 6.6 gm (10%)
– Saturated Fat 1.2 gm (6%)
– Monounsaturated Fat 2.2 gm
– Polyunsaturated Fat 2.6 gm
– Total Omega-3 fatty acids 114 mg
– Total Omega-6 fatty acids 2487 mg
Vitamin A 0.0 IU (0%)
Vitamin C 0.0 mg (0%)
Vitamin D
Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol) 0.9 mg (5%)
Vitamin K 3.0 mcg (4%)
Thiamin 1.1 mg (73%)
Riboflavin 0.2 mg (12%)
Niacin 0.9 mg (4%)
Vitamin B6 0.2 mg (8%)
Folate 48.9 mcg (12%)
Vitamin B12 0.0 mcg (0%)
Pantothenic Acid 1.4 mg (14%)
Choline 30.3 mg
Betaine 18.4 mg
Calcium 54.5 mg (5%)
Iron 5.1 mg (28%)
Magnesium 221 mg (55%)
Phosphorus 690 mg (69%)
Potassium 532 mg (15%)
Sodium 3.8 mg (0%)
Zinc 2.9 mg (19%)
Copper 0.4 mg (19%)
Manganese 5.3 mg (265%)
Selenium 42.5 mcg (61%)

Health Benefits

It is rich in numerous essential nutrients that help to boost the immune system and fights against various life threatening conditions.

Excellent Source of Fiber: There is 5.7 gm of soluble fibers in one cup cooked oat bran. According to the U.S. Federal Department of Agriculture, an adult should consume at least 25 gm of fiber every day. Fiber is essential for preventing and relieving various health ailments including hemorrhoids, constipation and diverticulitis, a condition characterized by the development of abscesses within the intestine, which may cause severe infections. Consuming enough fibers also helps to control high blood pressure and reduce inflammation. Experts are carrying out researches to find out the usefulness of this nutrient in preventing colon diseases such as colon cancer.

Photos of Oat Bran

Oat Bran Photo

Good for the Heart: The soluble fibers are useful for lowering the blood cholesterol levels as well. Consuming about 3 gm of soluble fibers found in oat bran (or other oat products) every day helps to reduce the cholesterol by around 1.8. According to experts, reducing the blood cholesterol by 1 reduces the risk of various coronary heart diseases by approximately 2.

Diabetes Control: The bran helps to reduce the insulin and blood glucose responses. Controlling the levels of glucose and insulin in the blood helps to prevent Type 2 diabetes and certain complications associated with it.

Energy Booster: Various studies show oats to help increase the metabolism and boost the energy levels when consumed shortly before some exercise.

Increased Immune Response: Researches suggest the beta-glucan contents of oat bran to be effective in enhancing the immune response. However, further research is necessary for finding out the effects and usefulness of this immune-boosting property of the food.

Rich Source of Protein: Oat bran is rich in various essential proteins that help in cell repair while also playing an important role in fetal growth as well as childhood and adolescent development. A 1 cup serving of the bran provides about 14% of the recommended daily value (RDV) of protein. The body breaks down the consumed proteins into amino acids that are vital for proper functioning of various organs and body parts. Certain types of amino acids are produced by the body itself while the other essential amino acids are acquired mainly from foods. Phenylalanine is one such amino acid which is essential for maintaining proper thyroid function and neurological health. Consuming oat bran helps to prevent neurological problems like confusion, anorexia and lack of energy as it is one of the best sources of phenylalanine.

Rich Source of Selenium: One cup of this bran contains around 31% of the recommended daily allowance of selenium for adults. It is an essential mineral, helping to prevent various health conditions. Selenium produces selenoproteins after combining with proteins in the body. The selenoproteins play a significant role in reducing the effects of free radicals and lowering the chances of heart diseases and cancers. They also help to maintain proper thyroid and immune system functioning.

Other Essential Nutrients: A cup of cooked bran provides 8% of the RDV of carbohydrates, 3% of the RDV of fat and 2% of the RDV of saturated fat. It does not contain any cholesterol and sodium.

Role in Weight Loss: Its soluble fibers absorb the water in the digestive tract to create a gel-like substance called “bolus” that makes one feel full. Oat bran can absorb 25 times its own volume in liquid. So, half an oz (one tablespoon) of bran is enough to form a 13 oz ball of bolus in the stomach. The reduced feeling of hunger enables one to eat less often, which results in fast weight loss.

Slows down Fat and Sugar Absorption: The bolus passes through the gastric acids, bile and lastly the pancreatic juice in the digestive tract to finally turn into a pulp containing elementary chains, amino acids, fatty acids and glucose. This process helps to slow down the absorption of sugar while getting rid of calories by reducing the dietary fat absorption.

Excellent Source of B-Complex Vitamins: The B-complex vitamins in it are vital for processing proteins, fats and carbohydrates to produce energy for the body to function properly. Vitamin B is also essential for maintaining the nervous system health, improving the immune system and for producing various enzymes, hormones and proteins in the body.

Pictures of Oat Bran

Oat Bran Picture

Uses

Here are its principal uses:

Edible Uses

  • It is often added to various baked goods like breads, bagels and muffins as well as breakfast cereals to increase their nutritious value.
  • Adding the bran to homemade pancakes and cookies allows increasing one’s dietary fiber intake.
  • It is commonly used as an alternative to regular wheat flour in various recipes.
  • Commercially manufactured oat bran products include pretzels, multigrain bars and cupcakes.
  • It is also used in various homemade dessert recipes.

Other Uses

  • The bran is sometimes sprinkled over dog foods for increasing their fiber intake.
  • It is also commonly used, along with other brans, as a nutritious horse feed.

How to Cook

Cooking the bran properly is vital for preserving its taste and preventing it from turning soggy. Here is how to make it:

  • First, a cup of water needs to be boiled to cook it. One can also use a mixture of half a cup of water and half a cup of milk if preferred. Using milk will make a creamier and sweeter cereal.
  • Next, ¼ cup of raw oat bran has to be added to the boiling water, along with 1 tablespoon ground flax seed. Then, the bran needs to be cooked for around 5 minutes on a low flame with a lid.
  • The pot should be removed from the stove once the bran becomes soft with the consistency of the cereal resembling that of porridge.
  • Then, some honey and cinnamon should be added to the cereal. One can also stir some mashed banana into it for variation.

Oat Bran Vs Oatmeal

The basic difference between the two is that the former is a whole grain while the latter is just a part of it. Here are some other factors that differentiate these two:

  • The soluble fiber content of oat bran is 50% higher than that of oatmeal, which makes it more useful for lowering cholesterol and maintaining proper digestion.
  • The protein, iron, calcium, phosphorus, thiamin, riboflavin, zinc and magnesium contents of the bran are also higher than those of oatmeal.
  • Oat bran satiates hunger better than oatmeal due to its finer texture which makes it creamier.

Oat Bran Vs Wheat Bran

Both oat and wheat brans are whole foods with the following differences:

  • Oat bran is an excellent source of soluble fibers while wheat bran is rich in insoluble fibers.
  • The fibers in the former dissolve in the digestive tract and then mix with bile acids within the intestines. The insoluble fibers in wheat bran are softened gradually as they pass through the body to the stool, ensuring rapid elimination of waste materials.
  • Oat bran has a higher fiber-content than wheat bran while the calorie and fat contents of the latter are higher than those of the former.
  • The former is a good source of thiamine and folate while the latter contains plenty of Niacin and vitamin B6.

Recipes

There are numerous ways to prepare and eat the bran with some of the most popular recipes mentioned below:

Oat Bran Muffins Image

Oat Bran Muffins

  • Banana Oat Bran Muffins
  • Dukan Diet Oat Bran Galette
  • Oat Bran Sesame Sticks
  • Pumpkin Oat Bran Muffins
  • Honey, Lemon Bran Muffins with Blueberries
  • Oat Bran Banana Bread
  • Oat Bran Cookies
  • Apple Cinnamon Oat Bran Muffins
  • Oat Bran Pancake
  • Oat Bran White Pizza
  • Oat Bran Molasses Bread

Side Effects

It usually does not cause any serious side effects. However, some people may develop certain allergic reactions that affect the skin, digestive tract and respiratory tract. The most common side effects include:

  • Swelling, itching, irritation and redness of the skin
  • Swelling of the throat, lungs and sinuses
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nasal congestion
  • Coughing
  • Stomach pain and cramping
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Substitutes

One can use regular oatmeal, wheat germ or flax seeds meal as an alternative to oat bran. The substitution may vary depending on the recipe.

Where to Buy

One can buy organic oat bran from local supermarkets and natural food at affordable prices. It is also available at online food stores. However, it is crucial to check the reliability of the source before ordering the product online. Some of the most popular brand names include Mornflake, Quaker and Kellogg’s Cracklin’.

Gluten-Free Oat Bran

Individuals suffering from Celiac Disease are gluten-intolerant. Consuming any food item with high gluten content can cause various symptoms like bloating, gas and diarrhea in these people. So they cannot use regular oat bran due to the gluten present in it. But, they can use the gluten free variety available specialized natural food store and certain online stores.

Interesting Facts

Find out some fun facts about the wholesome food:

  • Earlier, its uses were restricted only as an animal feed.
  • The famous Scottish dish named “sowans” is prepared by soaking oat husks for around a week and then making a special soup with the strained floury sediment.

Pictures

Check out the following images to find out what oat bran looks like.

Images of Oat Bran

Oat Bran Image

Reference:

https://www.weekand.com/healthy-living/article/benefits-oat-bran-flaxseed-18003906.php

http://www.livestrong.com/article/356328-the-health-benefits-of-oat-bran-for-cholesterol/

https://ezinearticles.com/?The-Miracle-of-Oat-Bran-and-Its-Health-Benefits&id=2969093

https://www.dukandiet.co.uk/news-files/method/oat-bran

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