Good news – oatmeal actually helps lower cholesterol!

People all over the United States have confirmed in a real-life setting what more than 40 scientific studies have shown – that Oatmeal actually works to help lower LDL "bad" cholesterol without lowering the good cholesterol your body needs. Oats have a high proportion of soluble fiber, which helps reduce cholesterol to lower the risk of heart disease.* Oats were the first whole grain recognized by the FDA to help reduce cholesterol. In fact, the FDA approved the first-ever food specific health claim for oatmeal because of its heart-healthy benefits in a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fatty substance produced by the liver. It is also found in foods we eat that come from animals, such as beef, poultry, seafood and dairy products. Cholesterol has a number of important jobs, including the production of certain hormones as well as the breakdown and digestion of fat. However, sometimes our bodies have too much cholesterol, and this becomes a problem. The extra cholesterol can eventually damage and clog arteries.

So how do oats work?

Think of oats as tiny sponges that soak up cholesterol and carry it from your body. Experts believe that it's the soluble fiber found in oats that helps reduce blood cholesterol levels. How? In simple terms, oat soluble fiber (beta glucan) helps control blood cholesterol by binding some of the cholesterol in your digestive tract. This cholesterol is "trapped" and removed from your body naturally.

*3g of soluble fiber daily from oatmeal, in a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. Old Fashioned Quaker® Oats provide 2g per serving.